How to get to Koh Kong from Thailand by public transport

If you are traveling to Koh Kong by land from Thailand, such as Bangkok, Pattaya, etc., you will need to go to Hat Lek border crossing via Trat Town first. A few years ago, Thai transport companies stopped offering direct routes from Bangkok to Hat Lek border to maintain monopolistic role in tourism, so you have to take a bus or van to Trat Bus Terminal from most of the cities in Central Thailand and then continue your journey by minivan from Trat Bus Terminal to Hat Lek – Cham Yeam Border Crossing Station.

From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can take one of the free airport shuttle buses to the Airport Bus Terminal and then take one of the buses to Trat. 

If you are leaving Bangkok from the city center, you can take a bus from Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) or Mochit (Northern Bus Terminal) near Chatuchak Market. There are also several minivans that run to Trat from both terminals.

Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal is next to the Ekkamai BTS Skytrain Station, which is the main station for travelers to the eastern provinces of Thailand. It is located across Soi 63 (Ekkamai) of Sukhumvit Road, which is easy and convenient to reach by BTS Skytrain.

Mochit (Northern) Bus Terminal is right next to the north of Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the biggest markets in South East Asia, and Queen Sirikit Park. The nearest BTS Station is Saphan Khwai, but the MRT Station is closer and more accessible.

Both stations are air-conditioned, have luggage storage facilities that work from 06:00 to 18:00, ATMs, shops, cafes and eateries.

Buses from Bangkok depart from 5:00 to 18:00 every 30 to 45 minutes depending on the transport company you choose. You can buy tickets at the ticket booths at both of Terminals which are open 24/7. The price of tickets varies slightly depending on the company, class of service and departure time and ranges from 270 to 360 baht. You can also search and book tickets online in advance for the most of the buses.

From the Eastern Terminal, one of the trips is carried out by Cherdchai Tour company with comfortable buses equipped with usb chargers, multimedia and a toilet, which is very convenient on a long journey. Although you can book online for any of their destinations on their website, only journeys to Trat have to be booked at the ticket counter at the terminal.

The trip takes about 5 hours with one or two stops for rest/food. The exact duration of the trip depends on traffic congestion. Therefore, if you plan to reach Koh Kong within one day, we advise you to choose morning buses because of less traffic and border closure time at 22:00.

When you reach Trat Bus Terminal, you need to take a minibus that will bring you directly to Hat Lek Border Station of the Thai-Cambodian border. This journey takes about 1.5 hours. 

This route does not have an official timetable, which may seem complicated at first glance, but it actually makes it easier. 

The minibus that heads to the border leaves every 25 minutes from 05:00 and will meet you at Platform #13 of the terminal. You can ask for help from any employee or follow the signs in the terminal. 

The ticket price is 140 baht which you will pay directly to the driver of that comfortable minibus. 

To avoid delays on the way, it is not advisable to board on the bus with alcoholic beverages, food or coffee. This should not bother you, since there is enough time to have a drink or a snack while changing your buses at the terminal.

If you found this way complicated for you or unsuitable for some reason, you can also hire a taxi from the most of Thai cities to the Cambodian border in advance with our booking system. Then driver will meet you at the selected location and bring you directly to the checkpoint on Thai side which lays next to Koh Kong

When you arrive at the border, you will need to go through immigration formalities by getting a stamp on the Thai side and prepare to get a Cambodian visa by filling out the immigration card and getting a photo for visa-on-arrival application. There are also some locals roaming around who will be happy to assist you with all of the formalities for a few dollars of tips. Another option for getting your visa is online e-Visa which has to be arranged at least 4 days before the planned date of arrival. While some people claim online that they have been overcharged by the officers at the border, the TI-type tourist visa costs 37 USD ($40 if you don’t have a photo) and this reflects the rules from Nov. 2022. However, for a business visa, expect to pay at least 50 USD regardless of the legal basis.

Currently, there is only one public bus that leaves the border to the town at 13:30, but that is not a problem as after arriving on Cambodian soil you will see plenty of taxis, tuk-tuks and rickshaws ready to take you to one of the hotels at the beautiful Pak Khlong Beach or to the town of Koh Kong which lies 12 kilometers away after the iconic 1.9km bridge.