Cham Yeam Checkpoint: Had Lek, Thailand / Koh Kong, Cambodia (The way to Sihanoukville)?
Cambodian visas available. Thai transit visas available.
Open 08:00-20:00
The Route: Bangkok to Sihanoukville via Koh Kong
The usual route runs from Bangkok, to Trat (with some people opting for a detour to Koh Chang), then on to the border crossing at Had Lek where you cross to Koh Kong (Cham Yeam). From Koh Kong, either take the ferry or the road to Sihanoukville. If you intend to take the ferry, take note that it departs Koh Kong at 8:00AM, which means that unless you arrive at Koh Kong just before 8:00AM, you’ll need to spend a night in Koh Kong. Some tour operators on Khao San Rd. in Bangkok are offering nighttime minibuses that leave Khao San at 1AM so that they arrive in Had Lek at 6AM, just before the border opens and two hours before the ferry leaves.
Bangkok to Had Lek / Koh Kong border crossing
1. Bus from Bangkok to Trat (~170 baht)
2. Van from Trat to the Thai border town of Had Lek (100 baht). Departs every 30 minutes or so.
3. Buy your visa and walk into Cambodia.
4a. If you are going to take the road, touts and drivers will approach you as soon as you cross the border.
4b. If you are going to take the ferry or stay in Koh Kong, take a motodup into Koh Kong City or to the ferry dock (50 baht for moto or shared taxi. 200 baht for private taxi)
Koh Kong to/from Sihanoukville by road
Road #48 - the relatively new road from Koh Kong City to its intersection with National Route #4 north of Sihanoukville -has been repaired and is now passable. From the intersection at Route #4, you can proceed south to Sihanoukville or take the Route #3 cutoff to Kampot.
When you cross the border from Thailand, touts for vans to Sihanoukville will immediately approach you, claiming their van is about to leave. Vans only leave when they are full, regardless of tout’s claims to the contrary. Best to choose a van or taxi that is almost full. 5 - 7 hours to Sihanoukville or Kampot. 600 baht. Road conditions on Road #48 deteriorate dramatically during the wet season. Routes #3 and #4 are paved and remain in good condition year round. Many if not most guesthouses in Sihanoukville offer vans to Koh Kong.
Koh Kong to/from Sihanoukville by ferry
Small bullet ferries run daily in both directions between Sihanoukville and Koh Kong. The trip takes 3 1/2 - 4 hours. US$12-$15 for foreigners. (Tickets are cheaper at guesthouses than at the ferry dock). There are occasional cancellations during the rainy season.
From Koh Kong to Sihanoukville: The speedboat departs at 8:00am every morning.
From Sihanoukville to Koh Kong: The speedboat departs at 12:00noon everyday from the ‘Port of Passenger Ship’, near the Port of Sihanoukville, just off Hun Sen Beach Dr. Tell your motodup driver ‘Koh Kong’ and he will know that you mean the Koh Kong ferry dock.
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