Sihanoukville/Siem Riep

On my next trip to LOS I'm planning something a little different. Want to spend a few days in Pattaya, then head off to Koh Chang, where I have been before. However, this time I'm planning a jump from Koh Chang to Siem Reap, but I was wondering what the best option would be. Should I go to Trat then perhaps fly to say Siem Riep or Sihanoukville if possible - don't particulary want to do Pnom Penh this time.

What would be great is take a boat direct from Koh Chang to Sihanoukville - is that possible - or is the question a bit out there?

Tks

[Smiles]

There are 2 fairly long articles in the Resource Forum on Cambodia:

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=2240 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2240)

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=2208 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2208)

And one in the forum of the same name on the old Sawatdee EzBoard Forum. This last link probably contains some of the same info as the above 2 . . . but they are all good reads anyway:

http://p092.ezboard.com/fsawatdeeforumf ... D=74.topic (http://p092.ezboard.com/fsawatdeeforumfrm32.showMessage?topicID=74.topic)


And by the way, a short topic on Cambodia can be found just down this very page ( http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... php?t=8446 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8446) ). It's entitled 'Cambodia'.

I'm always mildly fascinated by the lack of "searching" posters seem to do on this message board (and others I'm sure). This phpBB Board has a terrific search engine (as opposed to the complete dud on the EZBoard incarnation) and the field for entering search criteria is at the top righthand side of every page. Try it sometime.

I vaguely (very vaguely) recall someone posting a topic some years ago on taking a boat to Phnom Phen from Trat. It was a trip from hell if I recall correctly ( actually, I think it may have been Hedda!!! LOL ) . . . but that doesn't mean it is always the case. I doubt you'll get a travelogue on this if it was Hedda, on this Board anyway . . . you can try the GayThailand message board (http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php), he hangs out there, expousin', proliferatin', and pontificatin' :blackeye:

Cheers ...

[Surfcrest]

You can travel by land / sea from Trat into Cambodia and onward to Sihanoukville but it isn't easy.

There is one boat per day departing Koh Kong (Cambodia) at 08:00 am and onward to Sihanoukville.
You will need to leave Trat by 06:00 am to cross the border when it opens at 07:00 am to make it on this boat departing at 08:00 am. If you miss your connection you will either be stuck in Koh Kong, with limited accomodation possibilities or forced to take the gruelling mini-bus trek to Sihanoukville. The border is open from 07:00 am to 17:00 pm. You can buy your Visa to Cambodia at the border (with passport photo and US $) but I am told you can not get a Thai Visa going the other way...only a tourist card (if you qualify).

It is 1 - 1.5 hours from Trat to Hat Lek border crossing by minibus (100 baht). You will need to motorcycle taxi yourself from the border to the Koh Kong Pier for your onward trip to Sihanoukville. The boat (if you make it) will get you to Sihanoukville by about noon. You will need the remainder of the day to get to Phnom Phen. I know of no flights that will get you from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap. I'm not sure who flies into Siem Reap from anywhere in Thailand except Bangkok. If there really is a flight from Koh Chang to Siem Reap that certainly would make your plans easier.

This isn't a trip for just anyone. It's a long day with unpredictable sea conditions and terrible road conditions. I can't see making the trip if you have any more luggage than a single backpack.

Good Luck!

Surfcrest

For more information see:

http://vngold.com/kohkong/overland.html