Poi pet government bus

[ronadurante]

They always talk about a free bus that will take you to the actual poipet bus station. After you stamp in, where is this bus sitting and how do you know?
I'm about to head to the border, then want to take a bus to shianoukville.
I found a schedule that shows buses going there in the evening.
Thanks

[Pizzalover]

There is no bus from Poipet to SHV. The only thing there is is someone trying to sell you such a ticket.

The so-called bus station is a scam (including the free hijacking shuttle) for tourists going to Siem Reap.

What you can do is:
1) If coming from Thailand and having a Cambo visa already: consider Hat Lek border in Trat province. While the Koh Kong-Prey Ambel road is bad it is still ok because it cuts your time on the hellish PP-SHV highway by more than half. Thai roads are immeasurably better than those in Cambo. Get a bus to Trat and switch to a van/songtaew to Hat lek for 130 baht. If you take the 11.30 PM night bus to Trat and connect, you can catch the morning bus in Koh Kong leaving for SHV. Long ride but the night bus to Trat is actually good.

2) If you do the Poipet - PP - SHV route: Depending on your time of arrival at the border you could make it to bus leaving for PP until about 1.30. This way you go during day light and would spend the night in PP. Starting at around 7.30 PM you can catch the night buses which would bring you very early into PP.
All those buses DO NOT leave from the so-called bus station. They leave from their company offices along the one main street in Poipet within 300 -1500 meters from the checkpoint. All walkable. If you have to much luggage, a 20 baht motorbike ride will do the trick.
In PP you switch to a SHV bus. In SHV bus companies sell Poipet tickets because their first departure can still make a late departure in PP for Poipet (Sorya e.g.) It does not work the other way around. I once made it with the first Capitol bus from SHV to PP and caught their 12.30 departure for Poipet at 12.45. The delay made that possible and it was an affair of less then 5 min getting off the bus, buying the ticket and leaving for Poipet. Cant plan on that.

Finally: Unless you go to the islands, are you planning to learn Chinese or why you're going to SHV. The place has changed. It is not what it was a year ago and much less what it was 18 months ago.