Hello guys,

I plan to cross Thai-Cam land border via Ban Packard / Phsar Prum (Pailin) in couple of weeks.

The point is all info i got from internet about bus (minibus) from Phnom Penh to Pailin was out of date. Does anyone here have the most updated info of such bus operators? Best, the ones running direct buses from Phnom Penh to Phsar Prum (or else, Pailin).

I read some reports saying that the best way to get to Pailin is from Battambang. In case, travelers have to reach Battambang at first step, then what bus should they take to go to Pailin?.

Any helps appreciated.

I have done this route but not recently. Big buses run from PP to Pailin, but not to the border. To reach Prum, you need to get a seat in a share taxi from Battambang, or a motodop from Pailin. In Battamabang you can look for a share taxi at the corner of Road number 5 and street 112.
There was a thread on this border crossing not so long ago which has better information.
BTW, once you cross the border, transport options are limited - there is a minibus that runs to Chantaburi. It ferries Thais doing day trips to the casino at the border. But you would probably arrive too late for that if you coming from PP. Also, you have to pay the return fare for the minibus even though you are only going one way!

armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:37 pm I have done this route but not recently. Big buses run from PP to Pailin, but not to the border. To reach Prum, you need to get a seat in a share taxi from Battambang, or a motodop from Pailin. In Battamabang you can look for a share taxi at the corner of Road number 5 and street 112.
There was a thread on this border crossing not so long ago which has better information.
BTW, once you cross the border, transport options are limited - there is a minibus that runs to Chantaburi. It ferries Thais doing day trips to the casino at the border. But you would probably arrive too late for that if you coming from PP. Also, you have to pay the return fare for the minibus even though you are only going one way!

Many thanks for your help.

Do you remember the name of bus operator that runs big buses for Phnom Penh- Pailin route? I dont mind taking tuk tuk (or motodop or shared taxi) to Prum once i get to Pailin as I knew it not a popular route for travelers.

To be honest, i dont want to take shared taxi from Battambang to Pailin (or in general, "shared taxi" for long trip in Cambodia) as i got horrible experience last time from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong. That's why i prefer professional bus operators for PP - Pailin route (or Battambang - Pailin)

I haven't heard about difficult transport in Thai side. You're right at that i would arrive too late for minibus to Chataburi (that's also what i thought). BTW, is it easy to find hotel for one night in Ban Packard?

mgb wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 4:28 pm

armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:37 pm I have done this route but not recently. Big buses run from PP to Pailin, but not to the border. To reach Prum, you need to get a seat in a share taxi from Battambang, or a motodop from Pailin. In Battamabang you can look for a share taxi at the corner of Road number 5 and street 112.
There was a thread on this border crossing not so long ago which has better information.
BTW, once you cross the border, transport options are limited - there is a minibus that runs to Chantaburi. It ferries Thais doing day trips to the casino at the border. But you would probably arrive too late for that if you coming from PP. Also, you have to pay the return fare for the minibus even though you are only going one way!

Many thanks for your help.

Do you remember the name of bus operator that runs big buses for Phnom Penh- Pailin route? I dont mind taking tuk tuk (or motodop or shared taxi) to Prum once i get to Pailin as I knew it not a popular route for travelers.

To be honest, i dont want to take shared taxi from Battambang to Pailin (or in general, "shared taxi" for long trip in Cambodia) as i got horrible experience last time from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong. That's why i prefer professional bus operators for PP - Pailin route (or Battambang - Pailin)

I haven't heard about difficult transport in Thai side. You're right at that i would arrive too late for minibus to Chataburi (that's also what i thought). BTW, is it easy to find hotel for one night in Ban Packard?

if you dont want shared taxi a private one from Battambang will cost $20. If you are worried about bad travel experiences I wouldn't even bother with the big bus just go Mekong express to Battambang, $12 for a comfy 6hour ride then 2 hours to Pailin border by taxi

*edit*

the Carrier is Paramount Angkor Express
24Eo, Ang Non (St 102), Phnom Penh; T: (023) 427 567

Phnom Penh departs at 07:00 and 07:30, costs $11 and takes 10 hours. - sounds like hell - it will also arrive too late for the border so you need a night in Pailin

So really, the best way where: First to Battambang and from there with private taxi (25,00 $) directly to the border in 1,5-2 h. I this twgo this way two times without any problems and in Battambang, you can book a private taxi in all hotels or many different Agencys in Street 1 or Street 3.

mgb wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 4:28 pm
I haven't heard about difficult transport in Thai side. You're right at that i would arrive too late for minibus to Chataburi (that's also what i thought). BTW, is it easy to find hotel for one night in Ban Packard?

Well, the way you want to do it, you have to overnight in Battambang or Pailin anyways - so just set off quite early from either of those and you will catch the casino minibus at Ban Packard.

CambodiaGerman1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 5:06 pm So really, the best way where: First to Battambang and from there with private taxi (25,00 $) directly to the border in 1,5-2 h. I this twgo this way two times without any problems and in Battambang, you can book a private taxi in all hotels or many different Agencys in Street 1 or Street 3.

Crikey! It was $12 in 2012.

Many many thanks for your quick comment, angkorjonh2.

Last time, we (my girlfriend and I) had to wait 1,5 hour for shared taxi getting full load. But it wasn't a start of the nightmare.

The nightmare began when the car broken down after 2 hours on the road. The driver seemed unprepared for such incident. He made several calls for help (i guessed) but nothing happened for 1 hour. All of us were removed out of the car, sat hopelessly on the street. He could not speak English, neither did any passengers so we didn't know what would be going on next. After quite a while, a big bus came (as I remember, its name was "Vitak" or something like that). They talked something to the drivers and all passengers got in the bus. I thought it was the back-up bus but hell no, we had to pay 4 dollars for each seat (of course, PAY AFTER GETTING ON THE BUS). It didn't cost you an arm or leg so that was fine to me but of course, nobody happy. That's why, we prefer professional bus operators for our next trips.

Thank you for the link. That's horrible review of Paramount Angkor Express. I note it if i decide to go with them (and i hope, after 8 years, their services could be better)

mgb wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 8:46 pm That's why, we prefer professional bus operators for our next trips.

All forms of transport can and do break down in Cambodia (except the airplanes).
If you want the best, maybe go for the Post Office bus (EMS). That goes to Battambang but not Pailin (AFAIK).
When you get a car in Battambang, go to the place where all the drivers hang out (I already mentioned the location) and you can give a car (and driver) the once over before you commit. If there's two of you it's a good idea to take a private taxi, otherwise you need to get some agreement on the number of people who will be sitting in the driver's seat! Going to taxi stand, you can get the best price too, because no agent is involved.

armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 5:24 pm

CambodiaGerman1 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2019 5:06 pm So really, the best way where: First to Battambang and from there with private taxi (25,00 $) directly to the border in 1,5-2 h. I this twgo this way two times without any problems and in Battambang, you can book a private taxi in all hotels or many different Agencys in Street 1 or Street 3.

Crikey! It was $12 in 2012.

Shure..., but the Cambodian "new way" knowing who greate a buisness. But you payed also 35,00 $ to Siem Reap or Poipet and I thinks that's okay for this way. From Battambang to Pailin - about 100 KM where 25,00 $ for a private taxi with two person okay. Tell me some thinks here in Cambodia, what is cheaper than in 2012 my friend.