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neophyte
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I'm sure this has been posted on other Cambodian travel websites, but I thought I'd put a little disclaimer out there for the brothers.
From what I've read, most of the forum members who travel to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat travel by plane. However, for those who may take a different route via the minibus from Khao San road to the border, then from poipet to Siem Reap, know this:
The bus route ot Siem Reap is a SCAM! I took a bus to the border from Khao San; I left there around 7am and got to the restaurant near the border around 11:30am. Turned in the passport with picture and application for the 1200 baht visa (you can do this through a travel agent or directly through the embassy for about 840 baht, but it takes 3-4 working days instead of applying at the border). Got to the border, went through the Thai departure side, the Cambodian arrival side, then was ushered on to a bus by a "friendly" Cambodian. The SCAM part 1: He says we have to wait for more people who are coming from the border. In the meantime, he says that in Siem Reap, people only accept Cambodian money or Riel though you can use dollars to purchase travel tickets. So, if you want to exchange, you should do it now, because in Siem Reap you can only use Riel. BULLSHIT!!! I had my lonely planet with me and it said there were banks in Siem Reap that would accept dollars and traveller's cheques. However, I wasn't sure about thai baht so I decided to exchange 2000 baht. Little did I know at the time that everyone I met accepts dollars as well as riel. Anyway, the "exchange agent" gave me 70 riel per one baht...when I got to Siem Reap and used an official bank, the rate was 100 riel to one baht. I lost 30 riel per baht for a total of 60,000 riel (that's about only $15 but that can pay for a lot in Cambodia) ! Afterward, a Hungarian travel said the agent somehow depleted his funds by $40. Needless to say, he was quite upset after realizing what happened. I found out later that this "friendly" Cambodian is the owner of all the buses and he runs the scam everyday.
But wait, there's more! Now the trip from Poipet to Siem Reap should take about 4 hours. That's how long it took from Siem Reap to Poipet on my return trip. However, going there, it took 7 hours!!! Why? Because the buses try to get you there as late as possible so that they can check you into their guesthouse (and get some kickbacks for it) and you can't go anywhere else because all the other guesthouses are closed (I went around when I first arrived and the owners of the guesthouses were sleeping).
Now, surprisingly, the guesthouse they checked us into was a pretty good deal and, after asking around, a decent place to stay. Still, I don't like the idea of having no choice and giving any money to these cheating Cambodian when most Cambodians are honest, hardworking, and poor.
However, because I got in so late, I felt I couldn't do the early sunrise the next day and ended up burning one day in Siem Reap town rather than going to Angkor Wat because I didn't want to waste a day on my pass. We could've arrived in Siem Reap around 6pm rather than 9:30pm, but the lovely bus takes its time and takes a different route.
Advice: Don't take the bus because the ride is quite bad; however, if you're on budget it's the best way (if the only way) to go.
*DO NOT EXCHANGE AT THE BORDER UNLESS ITS WITH A BANK: They have established banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Dollars are accepted as currency.
*You are going to arrive late so have your guesthouse set up in advance if possible. Plan your itinerary accordingly knowing you may reach Siem Reap as late as 10pm.
I know they're are scams all over the world, but I figure why not let people know.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:33 pm on April 7, 2005
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Triyclops
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neophyte,
Thanks for an excellent report..
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TC
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 11:38 pm on April 7, 2005
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ccvvbb
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The best way to get to and from the border is by Camry, they are for rent all over the place just across the border, DO NOT pay more than 30USD for a car and driver. You are correct time wise, about 4 hours.
On my last trip, our driver stopped the car on the side of the road, pulled down his pants and took a dump right in plain view, DID NOT WIPE HIS ASS, got back in the car and laughed and we continued on our way.
There were no stops along the way where he made comission on our purchases, no time delays, it was quick and comfortable and the air con worked fine.
I always stay at the moon rise guest house, it is at the beginning of town as you pull in, air, hot water, sattelite TV, good breakfast, VERY GUEST FRIENDLY, if you "smoke" they will find some for you, the guest house is 5 years old, and last time it was 12 USD. There are also a few brothels on the same street.
I found it is best to have USD, most places will also accept Baht, but the exchange rate is not all that good. BEWARE OF THE BANKS, I changed 1000 CAD and lost about 150 CAD because of the corrupt banking system. Take a lot of 1 and 5 dollar, US bills.
The first time I went I made the mistake you speak of, booking from Khao San road, it was a night mare.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:11 am on April 8, 2005
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MadStockBroker
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Quote: from ccvvbb on 12:05 pm on April 8, 2005
VERY GUEST FRIENDLY, if you "smoke" they will find some for you, 5 years old, and last time it was 12 USD.
wow......Cambo whores getting younger and younger!!!
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 4:17 am on April 8, 2005
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