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25-Aug-2005
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This is a 3-part article with photos about a trip taken in early October 2004.  Things are changing FAST in both Cambodia and Thailand so be prepared for the unexpected! Please feel free to email me with comments or updates at chasinasia@yahoo.com . Thanks! Charlie

Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet to Phnom Penh - 3rd Leg

As expected and anticipated, the border is the beginning of what turns out to be a  very trying remainder of the day. 

Grabbing my things with confidence, I move past the "visa" window for Cambodia and instead head directly for the Thai immigration exit queues located just a few meters down and across the "street" from the Cambodian visa station.  As no one is line, I am quickly stamped out of Thailand and start the long strool through the DMZ, pass the numerous casinos and patrons waiting outside and eventually end up at the Cambodian immigration entry windows.  Grabbing the required form and quickly filling it out, I proceed to the window where the officer takes my passport from me and shortly hands it back to me indicating I don't have a valid visa to enter Cambodia in my passport.  I of course show him the page with my recently acquired 90 day business visa that I had obtained in Phnom Penh and he points to the small type in a space on the page indicating "single entry".  I of course quickly realize I have been scammed and realize after a bit of pleading that I am going to have to return back across "no mans land" and purchase another entry visa.  To put it mildly, I am not a happy camper at this point.

The kid who has been trying to hustle me a car to Phnom Penh is telling me the car is waiting (I hadn't even indicated to him I was going) with me responding that it is going to take as long as it takes as I continue to walk towards the border I have just entered from.

....more to come!

Part 1

Pattaya to Bangkok

Part 2

Bangkok to Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet

Part 3

Poi Pet to Phnom Penh