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califdann
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I was in Siem Reap (Angkor Wat Temples) during the early part of June 2003. I wanted to travel from Siem Reap back to BKK. Found out that the airfare (one way) was $185.00 USD. Which was ridiculous especially since Round Trip airfare from Phnom Pehn (PP) to BKK was $165.00. I guess I could have taken the fast boat back to PP, but it only leaves early in the morning about 7 a.m. and arrives about 5 hours later in PP. Cost is $25.00 for non Cambodians. I recommend it. But in this case, PP is in pretty much the opposite direction from Siem Reap that BKK is. So, I wandered about town inquiring about a car to take me to the border. I was given prices of $60.00, and $80.00 for a private car to take me to the border, then I would have to find transport to BKK at that time. I went into a travel agency (kind of a hole in the wall), and was sold a ticket for the air conditioned bus to BKK for $11.00 USD. Was told that I needed to be standing in front of my hotel at 7 a.m. for the trip. I am not a trusting sole, so as I was outside my hotel at about 6:50 a.m., I saw a bus across the street, and walked to it. I was told to go to the agency that I purchased my ticket through. Being near, I walked the 1/2 block to the agency. I was met there by the lady who sold me my ticket, and she made a telephone call, and a late model Camry stopped and picked me up. All together, there were 4 of us that went to the border in the A/C Camry. Since I was the only Westerner, I was invited to sit in the front. Anyway, the ride to the border in the A/C Camry was a lot better than on any bus. The road is still very bad, and I worried about crossing some of the bridges, hoping they would not collapse. Interestingly, the driver had to pay 20baht to the police at 2 different points. I asked him why, and he told me "Corruption". I asked him about it, and he said that he doesnt know what it is for. He must pay. If he does not, then "they" will not let him go on the highway. So, in about 4 hours we got to the Thai/Cambodian border near Poi Pet. At the border, the Camry stopped and let us out. He told us to wait, and he got someone to escort us to the thai side. You have to check out of Cambodia, and get your passport stamped, and they take the stapled card out of your passport. This was accomplished with little problem. Out the door, and across the street to the Thai tables. Then we needed to fill out the SARS paperwork, and the entry visa application at the Thai side. Got the passport stamped, and the Thai visa with little problem. We then were directed by our new guide to wait near the Thai visa stamp building. A Burmese who was one of the 4 of us asked how long we would have to wait. We were told that it would probably be about 2 1/2 hours until they got another bunch of people traveling to BKK. I saw an A/C burger building about 80 meters away, and told the new guide that we would wait there. (Can't remember the name.... something burger....) Anyway, we waited there for at least 2 1/2 hours. A good opportunity to chat and discover information from my traveling companions. A Japanese, A Burmese, and a Thai. Then the guide told us to follow him and we went to an area that contained a lot of chairs (outside), and were told to wait there. The guide indicated that he needed 12 people for the mini-van. He got his 12, and we entered the minivan, and left about 15 minutes later. Oh, I discovered that my travelling companions thought it quite funny that I had paid $11.00 USD, when they had paid $10.00 USD for the trip. So about 10 minutes into the trip, the van pulled over to a rest stop/restaurant. Apparently this place has a contract with everyone since I remember stopping there going the other way, with another company. Anyway, we got a sandwich and a bottle of water each. We were told that it was part of the fare. Who was I to argue? Anyway, about 4 hours later, we pulled into Ko Son Road... and were let off. As soon as I left the minibus, I was approached by a tuk tuk and asked where I wanted to go. I said that I wanted a moto, and that I wanted to go to Sukhumvit. He wanted 200B, but being tired, I agreed to 120B which is probably more than I should have paid. But.... $11.00 USD, 120B, and about 11 hrs on the road, was about the extent of it. I think I covered everything.
DMC
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:32 pm on June 18, 2003
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