Thai Cambodian Border Run - Where am I going wrong?

Yes I am now going to display my naivety as a 'wet around the ears' Thai newbie, who all you more experienced travelling folk can poke fun at with your superior worldly knowledge.

Cambodian border VISA run yesterday, drove 4 hours to the Cambodian border at Aranya Prathet in Sra Kaew province for the 3 monthly VISA stamp thing. This is my third VISA run to Poipet, and I reckon the scammers have a picture of me in their wallets, they seem to see me coming.

Before I get from the car even, these little feckers are finding me a place to park. Rather fortunately, I had a few beers the night before and was mucking around with Lucky, our youngest pooch, when she kindly head-butted me on the nose with her mouth open, leaving a swollen red cut.

This made me look like I'd been in a punch up the night before, so when I say 'Mai Ow' loudly to the hordes of little feckers, they amazingly seemed to scatter..... Although, you soon become aware that they don't go far, many scope you out throughout the process, very strange it is.

If you ever wondered what it feels like being the most 'popular' person in the world, go to the Thai Cambodian border point and dress like a tourist. They flock. fighting to shield you with their sun-umbrellas, approaching you from distance, grinning ear to ear, trying to shake your hand, talk to you in English and act super friendly.

No, you're not a celebrity; they just want a chance at some of your cash.

Anyway, experienced travellers, please tell me where I'm going wrong.

I go into the first building (up the stairs), and through the first desk point into Cambodia.

I then walk out the other side, and soon I come to some metal, waist height railings that lead past a building / office on the left as well as straight into Poipet. I've always been encouraged to go inside this first building on the left, where a guy dressed like a Thai cop is sitting inside at a table. He has 'Immigration' sewn into his jacket. He has a stern red face and demeanour, and looks and carries himself like a Thai cop.

A few of the noddys who found me the parking spot now turn up as well (you would have noticed them following you). Thai cop tells me it's going to cost 1000 baht to get the VISA sorted. This is roughly the amount that I believe the VISA costs so I say OK, give him my passport, and the 1000 baht.

He gives the passport to one of his noddys, who busily starts writing out some forms. I sit there and feel like a circus attraction for a couple of minutes, and then another, English speaking noddy with a daft haircut tells me that, in order to go back into Thailand on the same day, that costs an additional 500 baht.

I'm 99% sure this is crap, but they've kinda got me. Thai copper is the only official I can see, and his little noddy buddy has my passport and 'forms'. There are no other Thai's around to ask either, at this point, it's like this is the only option I have.

Angry and frustrated, I give them the 500 baht. I get my passport back in 5 minutes, where I am free to go back to Thailand.

So, please let me know, where am I going wrong? There are some great blogs around to help newbies like me, like Steve's blog on Thai-Blogs.com, but I'm still obviously not getting something.....

Is there an official entry stamp queue of some description somewhere?

I'm guessing in hindsight I should walk past this first building, onto somewhere else?

It's hard for newbies, as there is no indication anywhere from what I can see; it's like the whole thing is set up so those that are none the wiser are fair game.

Rather amusingly, behind the final desk to come back into Thailand, there is an engraved warning on the wall stating 'Dont give any money to strangers, this is cheating etc etc'. Maybe they should tell you this BEFORE you go behind enemy lines!

Comments

[Stephen Cleary]

Sorry to hear that Ben, hadn't heard of any 500 baht extra scam before on the Thai border before, but had heard of it happening (100-200baht) on the Khmer side.

The official entry point into Cambodia (where you can get visa on arrival) is just over the bridge on the right-hand side. Easy to spot, lots of chairs outside. Ive never heard of anyone having probs there.

This Khmer visa scam thing started a couple of years ago. At first. i didnt read/hear of anyone having probs. Now loads.

[The Thai Pirate]

Ah, as I thought Steve, I don't think I'm going far enough...... They are collaring me before I even get across..... I must have 'mug' written all over me :) Not any more.... Thanks for your quick feedback much appreciated!

[dannyboy]

As I understand it there is a branch of the Thai police dedicated to tourists (yes, yes, don't have a fit, I know you live there). Perhaps you could look them up and pass on some comment. Stephen says this is a new one on him, in which case might be worth seeing if it can be nipped in the bud. Though to be fair this doesn't sound as bad as some country's borders.

[Stephen Cleary]

I've already explained to one contact of mine at the TAT about this... but alas. I will try again. The TAT cannot do anything but put a bit of pressure on the local law enforcers to investigate.

Read more on scams at our www.bangkokscams.com website

[Sleazy Sue]

Hi TP. The reason you got scammed is ....... you're a muppet. Previously whenever you saw a uniform you ran away and hid behind a car.... what happened to that tactic?

[The Thai Pirate]

Go way Sleazy Sue, I suspect you are a very old ladyboy.

[Profstevehawking]

Hello Pirate, Try speaking louder and slower in English. That usually works for me.

[Mike]

Ben the alternative is not to go up the steps, stand in line forever (to the left).
Get your exit stamp, walk over the bridge go to the Cambodian post on the right with all the chairs. Pay your visa fee and go an buy a cold drink or nip to a local casino (plenty of touts). They usually offer free breakfasts.

Then reverse the process.
No fee to re-enter Thailand.
All this takes time of course. The scammer's just speed things up.

When I needed to do visa runs I always used Jacks Golf from Sukumvit in BKK.
2200Baht inclusive of transport, scams and no waiting.

[Ben Shingleton]

Excellent, sounds like good advice to me, I like the sound of free breakfasts as well! Thanks Mike.

[Christian Louboutin Pumps]

out of the blue, shows there are no sacred cows where Bill Belichick

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

agreed! The pretty, the pretty! I want to read all these books now.