Poipet
This is many westerners first experience of Cambodia and unfortunately it is not always the best, though conditions at the border are steadily improving. Poipet is a trans-shipment point for goods to and from Thailand and overloaded trucks are constantly rumbling along the road. There are 7 large casinos in Poipet, and a few smaller ones. The casinos are in a kind of twilight zone between the two countries. They are actually in Cambodia, but they are situated |
between the Thai Immigration Departure point, and the Cambodian Immigration checkpoint. This is to allow Thais (and a few other nationalities) to visit the casinos without having to enter Cambodia. While serious crime is not a problem there are many pickpockets and you need to keep an eye on your goods at all times. There is a large market on the Thai side of the border.