Thailand Guide
The east coast
Hat Lek
Many travellers cross into Cambodia via the Thai town of Hat Lek, across the border from the Cambodian town of Koh Kong, which has reasonable transport connections to Sihanoukville and, via Sre Ambel, Phnom Penh. The border crossing opens daily 7am–8pm and visas on arrival are issued here. For a comprehensive guide to the crossing – and scams – on both sides of the border, see Tales of Asia (www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland.htm) and the Thai Visa forum (www.thaivisa.com).
The only way to get to Hat Lek is by minibus from Trat, 91km northwest. Minibuses leave Trat bus station approximately every 45 minutes between 6am and 5pm (1hr–1hr 30min; B120), though you can also arrange to be picked up from the Suparat Tour office (Tanakavee Transport; daily 6am–11.30pm; 039 511481) in central Trat. In the reverse direction, the timetable is almost the same.
Hat Lek and Koh Kong are on opposite sides of the Dong Tong River estuary, but a bridge connects the two banks. Once through immigration, taxis ferry you into Koh Kong town for onward transport to Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh or for guest houses should you arrive too late for connections (mid-afternoon onwards).