The Cambodia Coastal Visitors Guide 52nd

overland travel

31

VIETNAM to/from SIHANOUKVILLE The Prek Chak checkpoint is the most convenient crossing with Vietnam to Southern Cambodia. The Phnom Den crossing in Takeo province near Chau Doc can also be accessed from Southern Cambodia. See Kampot section page 76. Prek Chak, Cambodia / Xaxia, Vietnam (The ‘Ha Tien Crossing’) Cambodia visas available at the border. Vietnam visas NOT available at the border. This border crossing provides easy access between the coastal towns of Cambodia and the southernmost part of Vietnam and Phu Quoc island. The crossing is most directly accessed from Kampot/Kep. The road from Kampot to the border crossing is in good condition tak- ing about an hour from Kampot. Arrange a tuk-tuk or taxi to the border in Kampot or Kep. Tour operators in Kampot and Kep offer several daily vans and buses direct through to Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh and many other destinations in Vietnam. THAILAND to/from SIHANOUKVILLE Cham Yeam Checkpoint: Hat Lek, Thailand / Koh Kong, Cambodia (The way to Sihanoukville) Cambodian visas and Thai tran- sit visas available. The Route: Bangkok to Sihanoukville via Koh Kong The usual route runs from Bangkok to Trat by bus (with some opting for a detour to Koh Chang), then on to the bor- der crossing at Had Lek/Cham Yeam by van. From there it’s a short 10 kilometer taxi or moto ride into Koh Kong City where you can catch a bus or taxi to Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh or Kampot. See Bus Schedule page 38.

The official price for Cambodian visas are: Tourist (T): US$30. Business/Ordinary (E): US$35, though there can be extra charges at some overland cross- ing points. Tourist visas can be extended for one month, one time only. Business visas can be renewed for one year. Touts at the border will insist you need their help to obtain a visa. Do not accept their assistance as it is not necessary and only adds to the cost. Visas and Visa Extensions in Sihanoukville Most foreign embassies are located in Phnom Penh. In Sihanoukville, most of the travel operators offer foreign visas and Cambodian visa extension services. Cambodia Visa Extensions Most travel/tour agents in Sihanoukville offer Cambodian visa extensions at very competitive prices. If you want to do it yourself, you will need to go to Immigration in Phnom Penh. Thailand Visas There is no Thai consulate in Sihanoukville. Contact a tour operator for assistance. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh is located at #196 Norodom, Tel: 023-726306. Thai transit visas are issued free on arrival at all Thai border crossings. Vietnam visas Vietnam visas are not available at bor- der crossings but may be obtained at the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh or the Vietnamese con- sulate in Sihanoukville (located Ekareach Street, on the hill just west of downtown). Single and multiple entry visas are available. The Vietnam Consulate in Sihanoukville has a reputation for being particularly fast and efficient.

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