Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

CEOCambodiaNews · Post by **CEOCambodiaNews** » Sat Oct 13, 2018 5:31 pm

13 October 2018
A video taken by a foreigner has recently been making the rounds on social media, showing a border guard at Dom Kralor asking for $5 extra to process an entry visa into Cambodia. According to authorities, the video is old news and was filmed last year. They say that travelers have no extra charges to pay at that border crossing.

However, the immigration officials at that border crossing are notoriously corrupt, and they systematically demand a "stamp fee" of $2-5 to stamp travelers in and out of both countries. Despite denials by the authorities, there is no reason to believe that the situation has improved since last year. It is doubtful, but perhaps this video will shame the national authorities into calling their troops to order.

sigmoid · Post by **sigmoid** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:06 pm

Well, it's all part of the game and if you want to play (enter the country), then you have follow the unspoken rules and pay up. It's a piddly amount that at the end of your life won't make any difference.

The time I crossed this border about 5 years ago, the immigration dudes presented a handmade sign that said "Cambodia visa: 1500 baht" (about $45). I gave them three 500-baht notes and they gave me a visa.

As they say, don't sweat the small stuff and you'll enjoy life a lot more.

taabarang · Post by **taabarang** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:25 pm

I don't consider corruption "small stuff" in Cambodia. It's so endemic that it is not a problem, but the whole system. The govt. saves money on salaries thanks to it and the officials who work at the border pay corruption money to higher ups to get the job. It's one of the last vestiges of the economic failure called communism.

PSD-Kiwi · Post by **PSD-Kiwi** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:40 pm

sigmoid wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:06 pm It's a piddly amount

...that adds up to large amounts. Just take a look at the cars many of these Immigration Officials drive and the houses they live in.

Don't feed corruption, as it only encourages it...play the game by being smarter and standing up for yourself.

shnoukieBRO · Post by **shnoukieBRO** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:45 pm

I think weekend is classed as overtime. They may even have advice on that $5 fee

Kung-fu Hillbilly · Post by **Kung-fu Hillbilly** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:03 pm

Coming through PP airport a few years ago the immigration guy asked softly as I handed him my passport "Five dollars for me?" I feigned deafness a couple of times at his repeated question with "What?", until he would have had to yelled it across the terminal had he continued his corrupt pursuit. He waved me on angrily.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:28 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:03 pm Coming through PP airport a few years ago the immigration guy asked softly as I handed him my passport "Five dollars for me?" I feigned deafness a couple of times at his repeated question with "What?", until he would have had to yelled it across the terminal had he continued his corrupt pursuit. He waved me on angrily.

So you weren't wearing your tag around your neck

Jerry Atrick · Post by **Jerry Atrick** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:49 pm

sigmoid wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:06 pm Well, it's all part of the game and if you want to play (enter the country), then you have follow the unspoken rules and pay up. It's a piddly amount that at the end of your life won't make any difference.

The time I crossed this border about 5 years ago, the immigration dudes presented a handmade sign that said "Cambodia visa: 1500 baht" (about $45). I gave them three 500-baht notes and they gave me a visa.

As they say, don't sweat the small stuff and you'll enjoy life a lot more.

I never paid the bribes, and always felt the better for it. Don't give corruption a free pass.

Beerinthemorning · Post by **Beerinthemorning** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:07 pm

Jerry Atrick wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:49 pm
sigmoid wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:06 pm Well, it's all part of the game and if you want to play (enter the country), then you have follow the unspoken rules and pay up. It's a piddly amount that at the end of your life won't make any difference.

The time I crossed this border about 5 years ago, the immigration dudes presented a handmade sign that said "Cambodia visa: 1500 baht" (about $45). I gave them three 500-baht notes and they gave me a visa.

As they say, don't sweat the small stuff and you'll enjoy life a lot more.
I never paid the bribes, and always felt the better for it. Don't give corruption a free pass.

Well sigmoid, if you were in the know you woulda had USD handy in small denominators, seems like farang like to splurge/ burn cash as soon as they hit the khmer border.....

Anchor Moy · Post by **Anchor Moy** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:55 pm

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 2:03 pm Coming through PP airport a few years ago the immigration guy asked softly as I handed him my passport "Five dollars for me?" I feigned deafness a couple of times at his repeated question with "What?", until he would have had to yelled it across the terminal had he continued his corrupt pursuit. He waved me on angrily.

I have never had issues at PIA , but the land borders are systematically cheat systems. They will ask for a stamp fee and/or health fee. Smile and just say no.

Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

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Re: Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

Re: Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

Re: Tourists Systematically Extorted at the Cambodia-Laos Border (VIDEO)

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