Travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia overland has been one of the most famous backpacking itineraries in South East Asia; not to mention the scams lingering along the route. For this route, we opted to have the longer one, just to experience Thailand's railways system and to see more of their countryside.
Off from our accommodation, we took a taxi going to Hua Lumpong Railway Station. Bought tickets right away, took some pictures of the place then boarded the train.
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| entrance to Hua Lumpong Railway Station |
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| the outside of the station |
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| station's train platforms |
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| it's a 3rd-class coach with no airconditioning |
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| each coach has their own route labels |
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| the inside of the coach, better choose your coach as they are not similar |
There are only two train schedules from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (border to Cambodia) daily: one in the morning (0555H) and the other in the afternoon. So if you like to be in Siem Reap within the day, better catch the early morning trip. It is scheduled to arrive Aranyaprathet by 1135H but our trip took longer to around 1215H. Getting off the train, flocks of tuktuk drivers will face you and ask you for a trip to the border.
Here now is the scam-my part. They will drop you not exactly in the border but to somewhat office where you will be ask for your "Visa" processing. We were Asians but still they convince us to get inside. Since I already saw a video about this, we just walked straight towards the immigration office; pretending not to hear them.
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| look for this sign and enter |
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| look for this arch as the immigration signage is somewhat near to this |
During our time, it was a hefty line to the immigration. It took us more than an hour to cross Thailand's immigration officers so better be prepared. Right from there, just walk straight to the bridge and you'll see the Angkor Wat arch; officially, you're now in Cambodia!
Someone with government ID would probably approach and guide you towards your way to the immigration and the shuttle to the bus station. I've read from blogs that this is official. This shuttle bus is free. Then at the bus station, they might offer you a taxi ride as well for USD48 (versus USD9 per person in bus). They could also convince you to exchange your money to Cambodian Riel though USD is widely accepted in Cambodia; it's your choice here but it's strictly 1USD per 4000 Riel all over the country.
We then took a cab though it's very expensive. I don't know how was I convinced by the travelmate that time. Anyways, this government official will ask for a tip after he guide us through from the border to the taxi cab; but unhesitantly he accepted my 500 Riel tip, I didn't realized immediately how small that is!
Arriving at Siem Reap, your taxi will drop you off to their so called "stop" wherein tuktuks will drive you towards your accommodation. This hasn't been the agreement beforehand. Anyways, the tuktuk is free and will just humbly ask if you may want to avail their tour services. Since I already reserved with our accommodation, I straight forwardly told him that we already have.
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