Thread: Visa Run: Bangkok to Ban Hat Lek/Koh Kong

Our destination for this two-dayer was Koh Kong in Cambodia. Entry point is at Ban Had Lek on the Thai side and Cham Yeam on the Cambodian side.

Bangkok to Ban Hat Lek in Trat Province is about 400 kms. If you haven’t been before it’s well worth the trip as the scenery is beautiful, especially the last 90 kms from Trat to the border.





For those of you who are driving just take the expressway past Suvarnabhumi Airport and turn off on the 344 to Klang. At the T-Junction – approx 200kms from Bangkok – turn left on the 3 to Trat. Just before you arrive in Trat – 325 kms from Bkk – turn left on to the 318 and this will take you all the way to the border.

At the border there is secure car parking, courtesy of the casino. Entry is on the left between the Kasikorn Bank and SCB ATMs. You can have your parking stamped at the cashier in the casino and you’ll park for free.



Cambodia has an e-visa which you can get for $25 online and it can be used at this border crossing. It’s well worth doing both cost-wise and time-wise. If you get your visa at the border it will cost you 1200 baht and they do NOT accept US dollars.

This has become quite a popular place for backpackers to cross so go early unless you want to join the queue with the great unwashed. Oh and there’s no shade here so you’ll queue in the sun.

There’s loads of touts hanging around pestering you for a ride into Koh Kong. Personally, I like to have a flutter at the tables so I just tell them I’m only going to the casino and they leave me alone.

The casino operates a bus from the border to the front door so avail yourself of this free service. I walked, but they have now opened the final stage of their construction program and the main entrance is further along the road. In the end it’s only 10 minutes so it won’t kill you.

The casino is very plush. One of the best I’ve every been in so you’ll need to be reasonably smartly attired. No shorts or flip flops etc.



You can check you bags at reception and take the escalator to the Casino floor. Typical of most Asian casinos, most tables play baccarat with only one table for blackjack.

Even if you don’t want to play just cash some money and get some chips and ask them to stamp your parking at the same time. You cash your chips out at a different counter so nobody knows or cares if you play or not.

Take a few moments to check out their swimming pool. It’s fantastic.







Non-guests pay 50 baht to use it and this comes with towels etc. Many expat residents of Koh Kong come over for the day to enjoy the pool and the poolside bar. When I was there I didn’t see a single soul around the pool either day.



When you’re done, collect you bags and get the doorman to call you a motor bike to take you to Koh Kong. It will cost you 100 baht plus 11 baht toll way on the bridge. Some miserable types make the driver pay but it’s only 11 baht FFS. You’ll have to pay again on your way back.

Koh Kong is a pretty small frontier town where nothing much happens. That in itself is an attraction after the pace and noise of Bangkok.



There are lots of accommodation choices here but this time I stayed at The Dugout Hotel which is right in the main street.

This wonderfully unsubtle name –Doug was the previous owner – is the brainchild of the new owner and fellow kiwi Grant. He’s a friendly guy who takes the time to have a chat and like all good hoteliers is able to give you the gen on all things local.

The food is pretty good here, especially the breakfasts. Plate was huge!



My room with A/C cost 400 baht. They are pretty full so send an email first 'thedugouthotel[at]yahoo.com

Diagonally across the road is a new bar called ‘Fat Sams’. The guv is Welsh so you’ll need to listen carefully when he speaks! He’s a large lad so there’s no mistaking him. He’s mates with Colin and Hatch (before his passing obviously) for those of you in Bangkok.



Fat Sams has the distinction of employing what must be the prettiest cook of any place I’ve ever been in. And she can cook. This is a great place for a few beers while you watch the passing traffic, which is mostly bicycles and motor bikes.

The Oasis is another place which got good wraps from the locals, although I didn’t go there. Run by an amiable Brit with an interest in trekking and boating so probably a good place to stay if you’re the adventurous type.

Ok so it’s back to the border with a short stop at Cambodian immigration to get your exit stamp. Then on to Thai immigration for your stamp in.

New visas rules have been introduced at other land borders but as of the 10-12-08 they are still giving 30 days at Ban Had Lek.





All photos taken on my Samsung Omnia Mobile Phone.