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Like everything travelling also has its pros and cons. Getting into a tourist trap can be the biggest nightmare on a trip. Be it anywhere on the globe, you may encounter someone who may try to rip you off. But with some advance information you can get prepared to tackle such situations. Always take help from the internet. Watch videos and read articles posted by travellers themselves. I am sharing links to some of the useful travel websites in Thailand & Cambodia. The information is based on my experience of a backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia in March 2016. You can avoid landing into tourist traps with their help. Do comment below if you feel some vital information is missing here.
GETTING A VISA
1. Online application for Visa on Arrival : Thailand
https://extranet.immigration.go.th/voaonline/voaonline/VoaonlineAction.do
2. e-Visa : Cambodia
https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
GETTING A LOCAL SIM CARD
3. ‘Cellcard’ sim in Cambodia
http://www.cellcard.com.kh/en/search/tourist/
TRANSPORTATION
4. Airport Rail Link : The fastest way to city center in Bangkok, Thailand
http://srtet.co.th/5. Online booking of buses and ferries across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
bookmebus.com MEDICAL FACILITIES
6. Medical facilities in Cambodia
https://kh.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/doctors/
TRAVEL TIPS AND ARTICLES
7. Travel tips and articles based on traveller’s own experience
touristhelpline.com
My Worst nightmare during Cambodia trip
Based on my experience, I can say that you are more prone to frauds and tourist traps in Cambodia than Thailand. I myself went through a nightmare at the Poipet border while entering Cambodia, when a person approached us right at the entrance of the visa office of Cambodia. Despite our several polite refusals, he kept on insisting us to take help from him. While filling up the visa-on-arrival form he stood with us and started guiding us how to fill up the form. I was surprised why such persons were allowed inside the visa office! The authorities should ban entries of people who do not hold a passport.
Inside the Cambodian visa office
When we were done with all the formalities at Cambodian Visa and Immigration office, this man started insisting us to take a taxi from him. We could sense the foul by the way he was persuading us. Till then we were joined by two European tourists and we were 4 tourists now. He started bothering all of us by compelling to take his taxi to Siem Reap. So, in order to get out of the mess, we thought to go away from that place. We took a tuk-tuk to reach the international bus station near the Poipet border. But it was quite late and the bus station was closed. We approached few people for seeking information on alternatives.
We had to call Police
Suddenly this man appeared again and started abusing us. He even threatened us with dire consequences. We really did not expect such violent behaviour. Every one of us was astonished, but not intimidated. We kept walking and approached a nearby fuel station. It which had CCTV cameras, so the person did not come inside. We told everything to the lady manager and she called the police. But, before the police could come the man flew away from the spot. The lady then arranged a taxi for us to Siem Reap. Thanks to her :)
