- POIPET -

The Border

Poipet (also Poiphet, properly Paoy Paet) is a Cambodian town on the Cambodia/Thailand border. The border of Poipet, 10 kilometres from Sisophon, is a bustling market, where Thais and Cambodians trade. It is a key crossing point between the two countries. Poipet is also a popular entry point for backpackers on their way to Siem Reap.
It's also extremely popular as a gambling destination as gambling is popular, but illegal in Thailand. There is a strip of casinos and hotels between the Cambodian and Thai passport control counters, enabling Thais to gamble in Cambodia without needing to go through Cambodian immigration. This casino strip area is a 'special zone' that prevents Cambodians from gambling. There is another border on the Cambodian side of this strip area that one needs to pass before being free to travel within the rest of the country. Poipet is adjacent to the town of Aranya Pratet on the Thai side of the border. Its population has increased, making it the 4th most populous settlement in Cambodia just ahead of Sihanoukville and bigger than its provincial capital Sisophon.

Cambodia visa processing here is rather easy. The foreign visitors just fill in the visa application form with 1 Passport-size photo. Show your Passport and pay USD 20 or 1,000 Baht for visa fee to the Cambodian Immigration officials. That's all the process needed to be done.

The Poipet border is open from 07:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m., and foreign tourists can obtain the visa here. A slight warning is that you might be asked for some sorts of International Vaccination Certificate by the local immigration officials. It is only their attempt to make some extra money as there is no such requirement.
After passing through the Immigration station, you can easily spot two casinos that host the Thai gamblers who travel to Poipet for legal gambling in Cambodia. The good hotels actually the guesthouses in Poipet are mostly full in advance as they are pre-booked for these gambling group tours from Thailand. It is not a good idea to cross the border in the late afternoon to find yourself stuck there. 

Casino Tropicana (Poipet)

In Poipet, the vehicles are rare to be seen. Taxi is run by private two-wheeled motorcyclist. There is a bus station near the crossing point, but it is vacant. Many wagons, full of goods and products, are pulled or pushed by several dusty Cambodians. Food and drink stalls can be seen on the two sides of the street.
Poipet is a typical border town where shocking development disparities exist between two nations, not unlike Tijuana or Ciudad del Este. With gambling being illegal in Thailand, Poipet's location has made it a popular destination for Thais longing to risk their money on roulette and poker. Poipet's gambling industry is growing fast and there are several large, opulent casinos in town, in rather disgusting contrast to the begging children near the border.

There are coffee shops in two of the casinos (Holiday Palace and diamond) which serve good coffee and even frappes and have air-conditioning, although in the diamond casino you need to explore a bit to find it, an interesting experience in itself. Food in the casinos is good and a welcome change from the standard restaurants in town.

The road from Poipet to Siem Reap via Sisophon is now paved and smooth, and the trip will take just a few hours.

 

The Holiday Palace offers a wide variety of services including a Chinese restaurant, Japanese restaurant, entertainments lounge, Health Club, sauna, massage, salon and gym. Other facilities include: Casino, Slot Machine, cyber-cafe and a supermarket / Duty free shop. Rooms from US 40 per night	Information/reservation Holiday Palace <click>
We are ready to service you. Together with your loved ones, friends or even colleagues! Whether on a business trip or just to relax. Poipet Resort is the best place . After passing through the Immigration station, you can easily spot GRAND DIAMOND CITY opposite to POIPET RESORT CASINO that hosts the who travel to Poipet Resort for legal gambling in Cambodia. More than 200 hotel rooms equipped with best amenities such as WIFI, satellite TV, mini bar and much more. PoipetResort Casino offers good and quality services. Travelers will enjoy and relax on their Spa, discotheque, different Restaurants offers local and international cuisines. Rooms from US 30 per night	Information/reservation Poipet Resort & Casino <click>

 

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