Inspection of Border Passes for Foreigners Travelling Between Thailand and Cambodia

Inspection of Border Passes for Foreigners Travelling Between Thailand and Cambodia 

     The process of inspecting foreign individuals using a Border Pass between Thailand and Cambodia differs from other country borders because Cambodia issues only one type of Border Pass, which is provided to individuals who have been granted permanent residency in the border area. Individuals residing outside of the border area must use their passports to show their identity when crossing the border. 

     However, there is some leniency for Cambodian nationals who use temporary border passes issued by the Cambodian authorities. This is due to a large influx of people entering and exiting the country during the same day.

     Border passes have a validity period of no more than 2 years from the date of issuance and can be renewed for up to 2 years at a time. Regarding temporary border passes, they may be used only once.

When crossing the border to Cambodia (Poipet), there are generally two types of trips:

     1. Crossing only to visit the casino;
     2. Crossing to explore deeper into the city beyond the casino area (such as Siem Reap, Serei Saophoan, and Phnom Penh).

     If the purpose is only to visit the casino, a visa is not required. One can use a passport and identification card to pass through the border. Thai immigration officers will stamp the passport upon exiting Thailand and once again upon re-entering Thailand.

     For individuals residing outside the border area, a passport should be used for border crossings between countries.

Inspection Steps:

1. Verify the correctness and completeness of the border pass, including whether it is still valid (normally, border passes are valid for 2 years and can be renewed for up to 1 year at a time);
2. Verify that the holder of the border pass has the right to use it;
3. Record the border pass in the foreigner control book (Tor Mor 53);
4. Once the border pass holder has departed, accordingly mark the book to discharge.

Source: Immigration Checkpoint of Phang Nga Province 37 Moo 3, Tambon Tham Nam Phud, Mueang District, Phang Nga Province,

Tel. +66 7546 0512.