Please be aware that the officials at the border will demand 1200B (1100B if you have a photo) for a visa. This is well over the $20 it is meant to be but, despite everybody knowing it is going on, they are still allowed to get away with it!

You can say "no" and pay the correct price but do not expect to get processed quickly. You can be made to wait several hours.

Our advice: buy one in advance. If you cannot, before you get to the border decide whether or not you want to make a stand but be prepared for some unpleasantness and frustration if you do.

Please note that this is worst thing you are likely to experience in Cambodia. Please do not be put off but forewarned is forearmed.

From Thailand

For your convenience

Whichever method you choose, it is possible to get from Bangkok to Rainbow Lodge is a single day.

However, please be aware that the border closes at 8pm. Also, it is easier to get you and your luggage to Rainbow Lodge in daylight, so it is best to leave Bangkok as early as you can.

We will pick you up by boat from Tatai, on the Koh Kong side of 1st big bridge along Highway 48. Please note that the bridge is called 'Phum Doung Bridge', not 'Tatai Bridge', just to confuse everybody.

Therefore, for all methods of transport please ask to be dropped off at the bridge. Do not go across the bridge. Please also contact us by telephone (+855 (0)12 160 2585) before you leave Koh Kong so we can make sure we are at the bridge in time to pick you up. If you are able to call earlier to provide an estimated time of arrival, it will be greatly appreciated.

Note: All prices are approximate, as we are not necessarily notified of changes, and are sometimes subject to your haggling skills.

The border crossing

Rainbow Lodge is just over 30km from the border with Thailand. The border crossing is between Ban Had Lek/Klong Yai (Thailand) and Koh Kong/Cham Yeam (Cambodia).

To get to the border, you need to come via Trat (sometimes written Trad). There are many ways to do this (see below).

You need a visa to cross into Cambodia. You can get a visa at the border but it is better to get one in advance, either from your local embassy/consulate or apply online for an e-Visa.

By bus to Trat

Buses run regularly from Bangkok to Trat, costing approximately $10/300B. It is best to use the Ekamai Bus Terminal because there are more frequent buses from there.

Time estimate 5-6 hours

There is also now a bus service straight to Trat from the airport and vice versa. Take a shuttle bus from the airport to the Airport Transportation Center. Tickets for the bus to Trat are available from The Transport Co. Ltd. on the corner at the far end of the row. Unfortunately, up-to-date timetable information is hard to obtain so please contact The Transport Co. Ltd. directly on +66 2 9362832. Alternatively, you can take pot luck and, if no direct bus is available, you can go across to Ekamai and get a bus from there. You can also get buses from Bang Pli which is a town a little closer than Bangkok to the airport.

Time estimate 4½-5½ hours

By plane to Trat

It is possible to fly to Trat. This option is a lot quicker than the bus but also a lot more expensive (approx $90/3000B). For up-to-date pricing and timetables see Bangkok Airways

You will need to get a taxi from Trat airport to the bus station and then a minibus (see "To the border" below). The airport seems to have its own fleet of taxis, making bargaining a little tricky and, as a result, the prices are more than expected. You could try to get a taxi straight to the border but this is a more expensive option than the minibus.

To the border

During the day, minibuses run every 45 mins (approx) from Trat bus station to the border with Cambodia ($4/120B)

Time estimate 1½ hours

Taxi

Taxis can be taken from Bangkok straight to the border. Expect to pay anything up to 3500B, but haggle hard.

Time estimate 5-6 hours

From the border

Taxis/motos are available at the border but do be aware that these can be some of the most persistent and expensive taxis you will meet in Cambodia.

Please contact Rainbow Lodge if you would like help arranging transport from the border to Koh Kong or Rainbow Lodge with a known and reliable taxi driver/moto

Cost to Rainbow Lodge from border taxi: approx $20, tuk tuk approx $15, moto approx $8. Moto drivers will also expect you to pay the bridge toll which is only 1,200riel or 11B. It has to be paid in Riel or Baht but not a mixture!