The Sihanoukville Shakedown

[Lucky33]

I was just in Sihanoukville for a week last week and I'm happy to report that things have settled down, no shakedowns of any kind in Sihanoukville or along the route back to Thailand. I don't know whether I was just lucky or enough tourists have complained about the Sihanoukville Shakedown to cause them to discontinue it, I hope that it is the latter. We will see .

 

[Clemo]

off there in 5 days time . will report back

 

[Thorsten S.]

April 2017: I just drove from Phnom Penh to Kep and then to Shihanoukville. Since its Khmer New Year right now, there were a lot of police checkpoints. But I never even got stopped once on my Vietnamese registered bike, hence of course I never had to pay any bribes or what so ever.

 

[koolaukid]

I was turned away at the Koh Kong border last month. Was attempting to enter on a 250 and depart through either Poipet or O Smach. Customs wanted to hold my green book and issue me a paper license that only allowed me to ride in the KK province. When I asked if there was any way around them holding my green book. Supervisor came out and said my bike wasn’t allowed at all and to go park it on the Thai side. He wouldn’t talk any more about it and although I had already paid for the Cambodian visa I had to check out of Cambodia and back into Thailand, my planned trip over. So my question is this. Did they not take your green book?

 

[Lucky33]

I was turned away at the Koh Kong border last month. Was attempting to enter on a 250 and depart through either Poipet or O Smach. Customs wanted to hold my green book and issue me a paper license that only allowed me to ride in the KK province. When I asked if there was any way around them holding my green book. Supervisor came out and said my bike wasn’t allowed at all and to go park it on the Thai side. He wouldn’t talk any more about it and although I had already paid for the Cambodian visa I had to check out of Cambodia and back into Thailand, my planned trip over. So my question is this. Did they not take your green book?

Wow, I've never heard of that. In fact I did the Pattaya Sihanoukville trip again last week, I usually do it two or three times a year. No problems and I've even quit getting the 'Sihanoukville shakedown', maybe too many tourists complained. They never have kept my green book or even asked to keep it, that's a new one on me. Anyway my trip went smooth as silk, here are a few photos that I took on the way and of the beach at the hotel where I stayed in Sihanoukville.

 

[Alex]

I crossed today at Koh Kong.

I finished with the immigration and before going to the customs two guys approached with this story about me not being able to go further than Koh Kong. They asked for money, 1500 THB, I gave them 1000 THB and they let me go. I did not want to take the risk of arguing with them. They weren't in uniforms, so I am not sure if they are even officials. I did not get any paper for my bike, so I don't know if I am legal to ride across Cambodia. Anyways, I am in, so if police stop me, I might have to give some money again but as long as they let me continue with my tour, its ok.

 

[Lucky33]

That's standard, only one time have I ever been given any paperwork and yes, they tell me that the visa that you get for your bike is only good in Koh KOng province but they hardly ever pay attention to that and if they do, like you mentioned a few dollars will smooth everything away. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[mickba]

I was turned away at the Koh Kong border last month. Was attempting to enter on a 250 and depart through either Poipet or O Smach. Customs wanted to hold my green book and issue me a paper license that only allowed me to ride in the KK province. When I asked if there was any way around them holding my green book. Supervisor came out and said my bike wasn’t allowed at all and to go park it on the Thai side. He wouldn’t talk any more about it and although I had already paid for the Cambodian visa I had to check out of Cambodia and back into Thailand, my planned trip over. So my question is this. Did they not take your green book?

I've read a couple of reports on FB recently of bikes being refused entry at Poipet.
They were told that the only way was to apply for a Temporary Import Permit in Phnom Penh.
They got in via O'Smach.

My Q is, has anyone done the application in PP and if so what is the procedure please?
Does it involve a prior trip to PP?
Is it a once only Permit or could you apply to enter regularly over a year?