Cambodia to Thailand: Overland Adventure

The borderlands between Cambodia and Thailand are not filled with sights. Most travelers simply pass across the border on the way to bigger and more exciting things. It is entirely possible to ride from Bangkok to Siam Riep, home of Angkor Wat, or to make a journey west from Phnom Penh to Bangkok. Most travelers will pass through a town on either side of the border. Aran is the name of the town on the edge of Thailand’s eastern frontier. It is about five hours from Bangkok via bus or train. If heading to or from Cambodia, it is best to stay in Aran rather than its Cambodian counterpart. I’ll tell you why in a minute. Aran has a couple of decent hotels and it is easy to hire a tuk-tuk or motorbike to take you the 15 minutes to the border. A night market offers a bit of local color in Aran. There are several decent hotels and restaurants, though the town, on the whole, has a frontier feel. Anything worth exploring can be found in an hour of so. The night market is the only event worth a look, especially if you like Thai cuisine.

The Thai side of the overland trip boasts roads a thousand times better than those in Cambodia. These are few tailbone-bruising bumps on the Thai side. Once in Cambodia, it is a different story.

Poipet, on the Cambodian side of the border is best described as “the wild west” of Cambodia. The town probably has more smugglers, thieves, and other ne’er-do-wells than anywhere else in Southeast Asia. There are several casinos catering to border-hopping Thais, but nothing else of interest (if you can even say that the gambling dens are “of interest”). There are several hotels near the casinos where an overnight is possible. More than likely, you will be made to feel unwelcome. Therefore, it is better to consider making Aran the place to stop for the night. Busing to Siam Riep is the best bet, though a private car is also a possibility for the six-hour trip. Heading to Phnom Penh via Battambang is another option.

Traveling from Cambodia to Thailand is the better option, if it is possible. It is easier to arrange transport in Phnom Penh, Battambang, or Siam Riep than to have a go at finding transport in Poipet.

One thing is for sure: traveling overland is an adventure. Your behind will get a bruising on Cambodia’s bumpy roads. But, it’s all part of the journey.