Khlong Luek–Poipet Border
Crossing into Cambodia

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Where is Khlong Luek, and why does everyone talk about it

The permanent Ban Khlong Luek border crossing sits in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo, just a few kilometres from Aranyaprathet town. A canal called Khlong Luek forms the natural boundary line; cross the Friendship Bridge and you're in Poipet, in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. Thais know this crossing for two reasons. First, it's the main overland route to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Second, it sits right next to Rong Kluea Market, a huge border market that draws crowds hunting for cheap goods.

Poipet is a border town that grew up around casinos and cross-border trade, and the atmosphere is clearly different from the Thai side. People heading to Angkor Wat usually don't stay overnight in Poipet — they catch onward transport straight to Siem Reap (Poipet to Siem Reap is about 150 km, a 2.5–3 hour ride).

Getting from Bangkok to Khlong Luek

The Thai side is easier to reach than you'd think — there are trains, minivans, and coaches. Your destination is Aranyaprathet or Rong Kluea Market, which is right beside the border.

The crossing, made simple

For Thais crossing over for a visit, the rough sequence is: clear Thai immigration to get your exit stamp, walk across the Friendship Bridge, then clear Cambodian immigration to handle entry. The walk isn't far, but when it's busy the queues can drag on.

• Documents — a passport valid for at least 6 more months is the baseline (a border pass only works in certain cases and certain areas, so check the current conditions).
• Cambodian visa — general foreign tourists can get a visa on arrival at the border, with a standard fee of around 30 USD; bring the exact amount in cash dollars plus a photo, or do an e-visa online in advance to cut down on haggling at the border.
• Thai nationals — entry conditions for Thais into Cambodia may differ from other foreigners and change with policy, so check with the Cambodian Embassy or the agencies at the border before you travel.
• Opening hours — the border normally opens during daytime (in the past, roughly 08:00–16:00, or longer per official notice), but during tense periods the hours change and closures are frequent, so check day by day.

Watch out for scams at the border

Poipet has a long-standing reputation for scamming tourists, from fake visa offices set up before the real checkpoint, to people who offer to help with your paperwork then charge way too much, to drivers who jack up the fare to Siem Reap. The defence is simple: don't rush, don't trust anyone who approaches you along the way, and only do your paperwork at the genuine government counters.

• Pay the visa only at the real counter — the standard visa fee is around 30 USD; if anyone tacks on odd extra 'fees,' be suspicious.
• Beware fake offices — some spots put up signs that look official before the real border to trick you into paying; walk straight to the official immigration building.
• Sort out transport to Siem Reap clearly — agree on the price before you get in, and if you can, book a vehicle through a reviewed company rather than flagging one down at the border.
• Never let anyone hold your passport — handle every step yourself and keep your important documents on you.

Rong Kluea Market — cheap finds beside the border

Even if you don't cross the border, Rong Kluea Market on the Thai side is a destination in itself. It's a huge border market selling second-hand clothes, bags, shoes, toys, household goods, and cheap imported used items. Some people buy by the sackful. You can spend a whole day here if you love a bargain and don't mind walking.

Continuing to Angkor Wat & Siem Reap — what to know

If the border is open and your documents are in order, the classic route is to cross into Poipet and catch onward transport to Siem Reap — about 150 km, a 2.5–3 hour ride on roads that are far better than they used to be. Once you reach Siem Reap you can plan your Angkor Wat–Angkor Thom trip, which requires buying a separate Angkor Pass in Siem Reap.

• Allow time for the crossing — daytime is busy and the crossing can take an hour, so leaving Bangkok early is the safer bet.
• Cash — Cambodia runs mainly on US dollars alongside the riel, so carry small dollar bills (1, 5, 10).
• Angkor Pass — buy it in Siem Reap; it comes in 1-day / 3-day / 7-day options, so match the pass to how many days you'll spend.
• Travel insurance — get a policy that covers Cambodia; it's safer for both health and lost belongings.

Easy trip plans

If things are normal and the border is open, here are two rough trip outlines. Adjust them to the days you have and the actual border conditions on the day.