A few years ago, border crossing between Thailand
and Cambodia was a real nightmare for tourists! Thanks to the direct bus plying
Bangkok-Siem Reap, the border crossing got a lot easier and safer!
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| The New Direct Bus From Bangkok to Siem Reap (vice versa)! |
The
first step is to purchase your ticket.
There are two ways for you to do this. You can
directly purchase tickets from Mochit Bus Terminal but remember to do it in
advance for a safer bet and to ensure your seats. The alternative and more convenient
way of purchasing a ticket is online through Thai Ticket Major. Between the
two, I chose to book my ticket online through Thai Ticket Major weeks before my
trip to Bangkok. This method is more convenient since my estimated time of
departure to Siem Reap is the day after my arrival at Bangkok, hence, there
might not be enough seats left for me if I personally purchase the ticket at
Mochit. If you prefer to purchase your ticket online, like I did, here is the
website where you can book ticket and process payments: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/bus/index.
If your payment has been successfully processed,
a payment confirmation will be given to you, have it printed and present it on
any Thai Ticket Major Booth that can be found on major department stores and
shopping malls around Bangkok. I presented mine at the 5th floor of Siam
Paragon on which they issued my ticket bound for Siem Reap. The total cost of the ticket amounted to THB
793.00 including a convenience fee of THB 23.00 and service charge of THB
20.00. I used my BDO Savings Debit Card (Mastercard) without additional service
fee and the transaction was converted using the current exchange rate.
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| Confirmation Receipt! |
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| E-ticket, present this at any Thai Ticket Major Booth! |
As of February 2014, there are two schedules for the direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap. The first bus leaves at 8:00 AM and the second leaves Mochit Terminal at 9:00 AM.
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| This is where you can purchase the ticket for the direct bus! |
For a complete guide on purchasing the ticket
directly at Mochit Terminal please visit Where to Glads at http://wheretoglads.blogspot.com/2014/03/bangkok-thailand-siem-reap-cambodia.html#more
Getting
to Mochit bus terminal.
I woke up early on the day of my scheduled trip
to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Afraid of being
left by the bus, I immediately hailed a cab to Mochit Terminal. Since it was
still early, traffic was not a problem. After 20 minutes on the road, I finally
reached Mochit Bus Terminal.
I went inside and looked for the platform (gate)
indicated in my ticket. I saw a few of the passengers comfortably seated in the
waiting area (mostly westeners). I approached one of them and ask for the
schedule of their trip. I found out that they were all scheduled for the 8:00
AM bus trip, so I guess I was too early for the bus scheduled at 9:00 AM. Hehe.
With nothing to do until 9:00 AM, I decided to tour around the terminal.
After
15 minutes, I went to 7/11 which can be found inside the terminal and bought
some food in preparation for the 8 hour long trip. I went back to the platform
and the passengers just boarded the 8:00 AM bus trip. I settled in one of the
seats at the waiting area and opened one of the chips I bought at 7/11. I was
in the middle of eating, when one of the bus personnel approached me and ask
for the details of my ticket. I told her that my ticket is for the 9:00 AM
trip. She then offered me if I would like to board the 8:00 AM bus since there
are still plenty of seats available. I accepted her offer and I was assigned to
seat number 1 row 1 (A1).
The-8-hour-long-road-trip.
Upon boarding the bus, I noticed that I was the
only Asian in the group and a thai looking as well. Their eyes were immediately
drawn to me. I smiled back at them and their faces look like they were anticipating
something from me. I sat on the chair assigned to me wondering what those looks
meant. After 5 minutes on board, it became clear to me. A Thai national stood
in front of the bus and started explaining how to trip will go. Afterwhich he
handed each passenger with a snack consisting of a small piece of bread, a
juice and a set of coffee with creamer and cup. So I guess they initially
thought I was one of the bus personnel! Hahaha.
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| Free breakfast and merienda! |
Aside from the food, the bus
staff also gave each of us some sort of ID cards. Wear it all the time
(especially at the border) as this card will allow you to skip the crazy lines at
the border, and will serve as a proof that you really are a passenger of the
direct bus.
The bus departed Mochit Bus Terminal, fifteen
(15) minutes after 8:00 in the morning. The bus was not full and the air
conditioning was just right. The trip from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet District
where the border is located was uneventful.
Before arriving at the border, the bus stopped
somewhere (SCAM BUS STOP!) which they claim one can get their visa done. According
to some reading, they will charge you 1,200 baht ($40) which is more than what you
would normally pay for US$ 28 only. The only good thing about stopping here is
the clean toilet. The bus have a toilet, however, it stench (it has a distinct
and pungent urine smell) and it looks dirty. Fortunately, in the case of my co-passenger tourists, they were all aware of this scam and no one dared to process
their visa at this bus stop. We all stayed intact inside the bus and waited for
the bus personnel who immediately went outside when the bus stopped. As for me,
since Philippines and Cambodia belong to ASEAN, I do not need VISA to enter
Cambodia.
A few minutes later, the bus personnel showed up
and gave each of us a packed lunch consisting of fried rice with small cuts of
cucumber as a side dish. While we were eating our lunch the bus started to roll
and we reached the border moments later.
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| Free Lunch! |
The
border crossing
Upon arriving at the border, the bus staff will
not give you any instructions, just leave as soon as the bus stops and follow
the group to get your departure stamp. Since I was seated in front of the bus,
I willingly led the group to the departure area. I had no idea where to go but
thankfully the border was filled with signboards so I just followed it. (Nagmamagaling
lang! Hahaha) 
After you get your departure stamp, follow the
crowd and walk across the Cambodia border to get your arrival stamp. This is
where it gets tricky since there were minimal signboards leading you to the
right building. Foreigners who need visa can arrange their visa here upon
arrival or can process them ahead of time. The tricky part is for those who do
not need visa, like me, since the crowd (mostly westerners) proceeds to a
different building. Like in my case, since I was the only Southeast Asian in
the group and Visa is not a requirement, I accidentally followed the crowd in
the wrong building. It was all thanks to the guard posted outside the building
for directing me to the building where I can get the arrival stamp.
The arrival area where foreigners can get their Cambodia
arrival stamp is located far ahead the building where visas are being processed.
Just walk straight for around 200 meters; and look for the building with
Passport Control signboard. An officer will give an arrival/departure card for
you to fill-up. Submit the fully accomplished card to the windows to get the
arrival stamp. Then make your way to the exit and go back to the bus. For
foreigners coming from ASEAN countries, like me, this is the only thing you
need to accomplish when entering Cambodia or any ASEAN countries for that
matter (no need to process visa).
I followed the directions given to me by the
guard and walked straight to the Passport Control building of Cambodia. After
acquiring my Cambodia arrival stamp, I intended to go back to the bus and wait
for the other passengers there. But the bus was nowhere in sight. It seems that
I finished the border requirements ahead of time and ahead of the other
passengers. I was waiting near the passport control building when I saw the bus
heading my way. The bus stopped before reaching the passport control building
and parked in front of the Casino.
I immediately boarded the bus to escape the crazy
heat of the sun. After an hour of waiting, all the passengers completed the
border requirements and the bus finally left Poipet border onwards to Siem Reap,
Cambodia!
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| The Passport Control! Can you see it? |
Another 4 hours on the road, we finally reached
our destination. Siem Reap, Cambodia! The bus terminal is located just beside
KFC and 7studio Photoshop. The Cambodian counterpart of this bus is Nattakan
(Cambodia) Co., Ltd. This is where you can purchase your ticket back to
Bangkok, Thailand for US$28. The US$28 includes free pick-up from your hotel.
Their exact address is #22 Sivutha Street, Svaydongkum District, Siem Reap
City.
Follow my Cambodia Adventure here.
Follow my Thailand Adventure here.
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