Travel advice: For the border area with Cambodia the Dutch travel advice (as of 15 October 2026) uses colour code red (5 km strip) or orange (5 to 20 km), and the border is closed. Read the current travel advice (NederlandWereldwijd, Dutch) ↗
Border town: Border rules, opening hours and visa conditions can change. Check current information and the travel advice before you cross a border.
About Aranyaprathet
Aranyaprathet is a border town in Sa Kaeo province, on the Cambodian border. On the other side lies Poipet, Cambodia's busiest land crossing and the most popular overland route to Siem Reap and Angkor. The town itself is a simple trading place with a large bus station, markets and a small railway station with two departures a day. The large Rong Kluea border market is close by and sells clothing, cheap goods and snacks. Many travellers come here only to cross, but if you stay a night you see daily life at the border. Check your visa and the most recent border rules beforehand, because opening times and regulations can change. The town lies about 250 km east of Bangkok, with buses and trains linking it to the capital. Allow some extra time at the border, because queues can be long.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Best from November to February: cool and dry. March to May is very hot; June to October is the rainy season, with green rice fields. From February to April there can be haze from burning fields. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Bangkok by bus from Mo Chit or by train (about 4 to 6 hours); the border crossing lies a few kilometres outside the centre. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Aranyaprathet
- Crossing to Poipet The best-known overland route from Thailand to Siem Reap and Angkor.
- Rong Kluea market A large border market with clothing, cheap goods and food stalls.
- Railway station Two daily trains, a nice sight for rail fans.
- Bus station and market The bus station has departures across the country and a market.
Aranyaprathet on the map
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