Hat Lek - Ko Kong - Sihanoukville - Kampot/Kep - Islands
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Hat Lek - Ko Kong - Sihanoukville - Kampot/Kep - Islands
various questions...
I know the Cambodian Visa is $20US, do they try and pull a fast at the border & ask for more... or insist you pay in Thai Baht (1200) I read somewhere. I find it would be a waste of time getting my visa in BK. Is one or two pics required.
Is Ko Kong worth a stay of more than one night? Can I get to Kampot directly from Ko Kong or must I stop in Sihanoukville ( may need to for banking?) Is there still just one ferry in the morning?
I'm interested in perhaps visiting "monkey island" or elsewhere - I'm into beaches -
The best beach in Sihanoukville would be? I will be returning to Thailand the same way.
Suggestions welcome, thanks
I know the Cambodian Visa is $20US, do they try and pull a fast at the border & ask for more... or insist you pay in Thai Baht (1200) I read somewhere. I find it would be a waste of time getting my visa in BK. Is one or two pics required.
Is Ko Kong worth a stay of more than one night? Can I get to Kampot directly from Ko Kong or must I stop in Sihanoukville ( may need to for banking?) Is there still just one ferry in the morning?
I'm interested in perhaps visiting "monkey island" or elsewhere - I'm into beaches -
The best beach in Sihanoukville would be? I will be returning to Thailand the same way.
Suggestions welcome, thanks
Last edited by altmtl on Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Captain Bonez
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otres beach in sihanoukville is probably one of the best (cleanest) but very quiet, but a bitch to get out of at night if you dont have a ride already lined up
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Firstly,if you can get an e-visa,or a visa from bangkok-do so.The Immigration at Koh Kong are notorious for their persistent attempts to rip you off.They will ask for 1200THB-twice the correct rate.They might eventually accept less,but it will be an effort to get them to do so.Koh Kong is ok,but you probably won't want to stay there for more than one night.I lived there a few years ago,and it's gone downhill since then,there aren't so many bars now-Bob's bar on the riverfront is one bright spot in the town though.There isn't a ferry to Sihanoukville any more,it stopped a couple of years ago when they built the bridges.I'm not sure if you can get to Kampot directly,it's possible you might need to go to S-ville by bus (6-8 USD) and then change bus.IMHO the best beach in S-ville is Victory beach,it's nice and quiet,a few good small bars,almost no vendors pestering you,and a good place to watch the sunset.Browns Bar sell Beer Lao for 1 USD
The only "Western style" bar in Ha Tien
The con, on the Cambodian side of the Hat Lek crossing, is that they try to get you to buy some kind of health permit for $5.
Completely unnecessary so just walk onto the visa windows.
Completely unnecessary so just walk onto the visa windows.
I just crossed into Cambodia from Hat Lek to Koh Kong with a new/blank passport last week.
They asked for 1500baht first, but I ended up paying $30usd and 100baht for a business visa.
I had a picture and I didn't have to pay for the bullshit health inspection, but I DID pay a dude 20baht to fill out ALL forms for me...
They asked for 1500baht first, but I ended up paying $30usd and 100baht for a business visa.
I had a picture and I didn't have to pay for the bullshit health inspection, but I DID pay a dude 20baht to fill out ALL forms for me...
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At Koh kong border people tend to winge about been ripped off on the Cambodian side. Carry your bags across your self or the street kids will want a tip for taking your back 100 yards, maybe $1-$2. Have your thia slip filled in. The locals who offer to help with your passport allow you to jump the que and get seen sooner, again wanting a Bhat tip give 2$
I go inside and sit down being nice and smiles etc and order a months business visa, they ask for Bhat. Sorry i dont have no Bhat i dont like thailand i travel to Cambodia in the day from landing and say its X amount in dollars not Bhat (forgot what the one month business visa cost) $25?
So it might cost you a couple of $ and then your on your way.
Or you could go in with guns blazing im not paying this Bhat blar blar blar and end up paying Bhat anyway.
The people who wind me up at the boarder are usually groups of back packer girls (brits) who think they know everything just bitching at the drivers, people who want tips blar blar blar.
Just remember you are no longer in your home country and the rules change.
I go inside and sit down being nice and smiles etc and order a months business visa, they ask for Bhat. Sorry i dont have no Bhat i dont like thailand i travel to Cambodia in the day from landing and say its X amount in dollars not Bhat (forgot what the one month business visa cost) $25?
So it might cost you a couple of $ and then your on your way.
Or you could go in with guns blazing im not paying this Bhat blar blar blar and end up paying Bhat anyway.
The people who wind me up at the boarder are usually groups of back packer girls (brits) who think they know everything just bitching at the drivers, people who want tips blar blar blar.
Just remember you are no longer in your home country and the rules change.
Bob's bar on the riverfront is one bright spot in the town though
Yeah....just make sure there's nothing sharp nearby when your around the proprieter
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- I live above an internet cafe
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Agree that immigration in Koh Kong are bandits but the whole border crossing is rife with petty banditry so agree that an e-visa is the way to go.
Passed through Koh Kong half a dozen times and stayed there twice. Not my favourite place and better in my opinion to overnight in Trat (if coming through that way from Thailand) then in the morning push through to another destination in Cambodia.
There are minibuses leaving in the morning from Koh Kong bus station that go directly to Kampot. Last time I caught one of these, it left at 8.30 am. Don't know about the afternoon. Trip takes 5 to 6 hours and price is between $6.50 and $10. It is also possible to book a semi-direct ticket to Kampot with one of the bus companies that go between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. This entails traveling most of the way on the large bus and then catching a share taxi or mini bus up to Kampot from the point where the large bus drops you. This second leg is arranged by the bus company and is included in the fare which was $10 last time I did it.
Kampot has three banks with 24 hour ATM's
Passed through Koh Kong half a dozen times and stayed there twice. Not my favourite place and better in my opinion to overnight in Trat (if coming through that way from Thailand) then in the morning push through to another destination in Cambodia.
There are minibuses leaving in the morning from Koh Kong bus station that go directly to Kampot. Last time I caught one of these, it left at 8.30 am. Don't know about the afternoon. Trip takes 5 to 6 hours and price is between $6.50 and $10. It is also possible to book a semi-direct ticket to Kampot with one of the bus companies that go between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. This entails traveling most of the way on the large bus and then catching a share taxi or mini bus up to Kampot from the point where the large bus drops you. This second leg is arranged by the bus company and is included in the fare which was $10 last time I did it.
Kampot has three banks with 24 hour ATM's
Resolve to endeavor to persevere
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Thanks for your replies, while looking I also found this on travelfish: http://www.travelfish.org/visas/cambodia - I'm a little reluctant to get an e-visa, but based on my route maybe I could get the visa in Vientiane, as I want to bypass BK, and go to Trat from Korat.
no more boat - ok - that makes it easier.Then I don't have to bother staying a night in KK. Thanks for that tip.
I posted this in another thread (banks-atm) which are the local banks in Sihanoukville/Kampot that don't charge ATM fees on a Canadian debit card?
Any tips about the islands, I read something about sand flies?
no more boat - ok - that makes it easier.Then I don't have to bother staying a night in KK. Thanks for that tip.
I posted this in another thread (banks-atm) which are the local banks in Sihanoukville/Kampot that don't charge ATM fees on a Canadian debit card?
Any tips about the islands, I read something about sand flies?
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Canadia bank has an ATM in Kampot and does not charge a fee
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- vladimir
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Koh kong, like Battambang, is a shithole. Avoid it at all costs. Even Poipet the toi-let is a better shithole than Koh Kong.
ירי ילדים והפצצת אזרחים דורש אומץ, כמו גם הטרדה מינית של עובדי ההוראה.
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what you have read about sand flies will be more than likely true. Seen this lady with puss filled bites after she'd scratched em and thought wtf, not a happy camper. These were from sand flies, rather her than me put it that way.
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Don't stay in Koh Kong for the night. For what? Unashamed scam artists, and no, we're not in our own country, but that doesn't mean we have to be some scam artist's bitch, either.The only thing that I know of worth visiting in Koh Kong is Cafe Laurent, good food, great service. I heard about a good guesthouse there, but was in such a hurry to get the hell away from shitty scammers that I never made time to visit.
Otres in Sihanoukville is good, but it's changing fast.
Otres in Sihanoukville is good, but it's changing fast.
ירי ילדים והפצצת אזרחים דורש אומץ, כמו גם הטרדה מינית של עובדי ההוראה.
Agree. Just don't enter at Koh Kong. The border crossing and the town are shitholes, don't support them.vladimir wrote:Don't stay in Koh Kong for the night. For what? Unashamed scam artists, and no, we're not in our own country, but that doesn't mean we have to be some scam artist's bitch, either.The only thing that I know of worth visiting in Koh Kong is Cafe Laurent, good food, great service. I heard about a good guesthouse there, but was in such a hurry to get the hell away from shitty scammers that I never made time to visit.
Otres in Sihanoukville is good, but it's changing fast.
Don't agree. This is Cambodia, where a VOA costs 20USD. Anywhere that asks for more deserves to be boycotted. And people who pay 30- 50USD, knowing the real price, are fools.the estuary wrote:At Koh kong border people tend to winge about been ripped off on the Cambodian side. Carry your bags across your self or the street kids will want a tip for taking your back 100 yards, maybe $1-$2. Have your thia slip filled in. The locals who offer to help with your passport allow you to jump the que and get seen sooner, again wanting a Bhat tip give 2$
I go inside and sit down being nice and smiles etc and order a months business visa, they ask for Bhat. Sorry i dont have no Bhat i dont like thailand i travel to Cambodia in the day from landing and say its X amount in dollars not Bhat (forgot what the one month business visa cost) $25?
So it might cost you a couple of $ and then your on your way.
Or you could go in with guns blazing im not paying this Bhat blar blar blar and end up paying Bhat anyway.
The people who wind me up at the boarder are usually groups of back packer girls (brits) who think they know everything just bitching at the drivers, people who want tips blar blar blar.
Just remember you are no longer in your home country and the rules change.
Don't agree with this either. Either stick to your guns and pay 20USD or use a different border crossing. Going there, knowing full well you're going to be ripped off, doesn't really show good judgement. Oh, and minivans involved? Already a bad sign ...carpejugulem wrote:Agree that immigration in Koh Kong are bandits but the whole border crossing is rife with petty banditry so agree that an e-visa is the way to go.
Passed through Koh Kong half a dozen times and stayed there twice. Not my favourite place and better in my opinion to overnight in Trat (if coming through that way from Thailand) then in the morning push through to another destination in Cambodia.
There are minibuses leaving in the morning from Koh Kong bus station that go directly to Kampot. Last time I caught one of these, it left at 8.30 am. Don't know about the afternoon. Trip takes 5 to 6 hours and price is between $6.50 and $10. It is also possible to book a semi-direct ticket to Kampot with one of the bus companies that go between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. This entails traveling most of the way on the large bus and then catching a share taxi or mini bus up to Kampot from the point where the large bus drops you. This second leg is arranged by the bus company and is included in the fare which was $10 last time I did it.
Kampot has three banks with 24 hour ATM's
Getting an e- mvisa is only a good idea if you're running out of pages in your passport. Otherwise it's just one way of spreading the corruption about which everybody likes having a whinge.altmtl wrote:Thanks for your replies, while looking I also found this on travelfish: http://www.travelfish.org/visas/cambodia - I'm a little reluctant to get an e-visa, but based on my route maybe I could get the visa in Vientiane, as I want to bypass BK, and go to Trat from Korat.
no more boat - ok - that makes it easier.Then I don't have to bother staying a night in KK. Thanks for that tip.
I posted this in another thread (banks-atm) which are the local banks in Sihanoukville/Kampot that don't charge ATM fees on a Canadian debit card?
Any tips about the islands, I read something about sand flies?
Hear from a guy I met in Battambong that the e- visa is now being outsourced to a Vietnamese company based in Saigon. The contact number in the email is for a Johnny Wong or Dong. That's the 4th company handling it now, after 3 Malaysian ones that all got kicked under dubious circumstances.
The VOA is the way to go, one of the good things the government has done, support it.
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