Travel Trouble Confession: How I Forgot to Get My Passport Stamped Upon Arrival at Poipet Border
I am writing this to share the most unintelligible move and the most stupid thing I did in my latest travel to Cambodia from Thailand. How I forgot to get my passport stamped upon arrival. It was funny and stupid but it made me a better traveler now. I hope this will not happen to anyone.
Aranyaprathet and Poipet land border stamps.
What Had Happened?
Upon my exit to Thailand at Aranphrayet border, I passed the Cambodian Immigration in Poipet and walked straight to Siem Reap without my passport stamped upon arrival. This happens when you are not in your proper self and I hated it. This is the most stupid thing I did in my whole life yet. I did not realize it because I was busy checking on my ride to Siem Reap at 8:00 in the evening. I saw the Arrival Hall but I disregarded the line and continue walking outside until I was haggled by drivers and barkers at Poipet border and voila, I lost my senses.
After spending 30 minutes of looking for Mekong Express van which I reserved prior to my arrival, I get into the van and felt assured that I could finally go to Angkor Wat the following day. But I did not realize it until I felt something was wrong in the middle of my journey to Siem Reap. I sensed that something is missing. I thought what the heck, I do not have my arrival card with me? I started to feel hot flushes when I check my passport and found out that it was not stamped. I wanted to go back but I didn’t. What is the matter with me?
What Happened After?
I was a little cool but more bothered then that I am traveling to Cambodia as an illegal alien though I had still managed to go to a small tour of Angkor Wat in the morning of the following day. In the afternoon, right after lunch, I went back to Poipet border to get my passport stamped. Another problem arose, there are no buses traveling to Poipet that afternoon. Another option is to ride a taxi but I need to pay 30USD. I said no and looked for another option. I transferred to another booking station and found a 10USD shared taxi.
I arrived at the border past 3:00 pm, bone-tired and nervous that I have to endure the most embarrassing moment in my entire life. I went straight to the Arrival Hall, got an arrival card, filled it up and fell in line for stamping. When it was my turn, I was asked by the Immigration Officer when did I arrive and I said: “I arrived yesterday”. He handed back to me my passport and arrival card and pointed me to the police. I was more nervous when the police said: “Oh, overstaying”. He then passed me to another police, probably his superior. The senior police checked my passport, and said, “you overstayed” and he asked, where are you going? Are you going to Thailand? I explained that I came from Thailand yesterday and forgot to have my passport stamped. I honestly told him that I went to Siem Reap already and came back to have my passport stamped. He smiled a little, maybe amused by my situation and said: “So you came from Siem Reap already?” I said yes with no reservation. He told me to pay 200 Baht, but since I do not have Baht currencies, I paid 10USD with no question. He got my passport and told me to wait.
I was finally relieved when he came back after 5 minutes and have my passport stamped, attached is the arrival card. I think he stapled the arrival card to make sure that I will not lose it and be in trouble again. He handed me my passport and I felt like flying in the air, finally ending my struggle. I thanked him so much and he said I should not forget it the next time I travel. He was nice and thoughtful, though I do not know if collecting money from me without a receipt is illegal or not and what fine did I pay for. I did not understand and I did not care actually. What important to me that time is to have my passport stamped so I can continue my journey to Vietnam.
Lessons from Aranyaprathet/Poipet land border crossing:
1. Travel in the morning. Sometimes the line in the immigration gets busy and very long, the early you start, the better. The border crossing at night time is also unsafe. I will not recommend it to newbie travelers.
2. Do not leave the immigration without checking your passport. Remember you will have two (2) stamps at the border. One Departure and another one for the Arrival.
3. Relax. Border crossing could be overwhelming sometimes, so you need to budget enough time and do not rush (they said but I did not listen).
4. Be mindful at all times.
Still, good luck crossing Aranyaprathet and Poipet borders 🙂
March 16, 2017 @ 9:04 pm
I would have panicked and been so scared especially in certain countries. Honesty is the best policy. Being passed off to three different police officers would be scary and seems like maybe you got ripped off of some money for a bogus fine. Hey I wouldn’t have complained either. Just happy they didn’t hassle you too much and it all turned out well. Lesson learned.
March 17, 2017 @ 11:22 am
I know right. Thank you. I was worried of course but I stayed calm the whole time. I was really stupid to have done that. At least the Police Officer did not ripped us off. He was nice though.
March 17, 2017 @ 12:35 am
This incident can happen to anyone who isn’t careful enough or is ignorant. It was good that you shared this post as many would be able to learn from your mistake.
March 17, 2017 @ 11:25 am
Hi Sandy, that is true. Presence of mind is really as important as money when travelling. I’m thankful to have not gone far that stamping problem. This is a hard lesson for me that even when I came home to my country I could not believe I did that a stupid thing. A lesson for everyone.
March 17, 2017 @ 2:01 am
Wow, I would be scared! I have never crossed any borders except from the US into Canada and back again. I find it harder to get back here, even though I have lived here my whole life.
It’s funny that you have to be mindful AND relaxed at the same time, but you really do!
March 17, 2017 @ 11:32 am
Hi Tamara, it was an unexplained feeling actually. I did not know really what to do. Try to imagine being in another country committing an honest huge mistake. As frequent travelers, we really need to be mindful at all times. I’m still amused when I think about it.lol
March 17, 2017 @ 11:42 am
This would have made me so anxious and nervous! I have never traveled internationally, and I would be scared if this happened to me. I am glad that everything worked out okay for you in the end.
March 17, 2017 @ 11:51 am
Hi Melanie, I was scared to death honestly but thankful that was able to fixed it properly. Having experience it made me a better traveler now. Thank you.
March 17, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
Oh my gosh I would have been so scared and nervous, I wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else! Glad everything worked out and you were able to continue your trip. Whew!
March 17, 2017 @ 12:32 pm
I was scared really but you know in times like that you have to be still and calm too. I was also glad that I did the right thing fixing the problem and continue my trip to Phomn Penh and Vietnam. 🙂
March 17, 2017 @ 3:31 pm
Oh my, I would have panicked and freaked out like crazy if I was in your shoes! I’ve only been out of the countries four times (Bahamas, Amsterdam and Paris twice) and I vividly remember almost leaving my passport at home the first time I went to Paris (thankfully I did bring it!). I’m glad everything worked out.
March 17, 2017 @ 5:05 pm
Crazy right? I really don’t know what happened. Good thing I was able to worked it out well. Your travels are great. I want to travel those countries too. 🙂
March 17, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
I can’t imagine how stressed you must have been! Great job in staying cool though and continuing your trip. I’m sure now you’re appreciating everything even more 🙂
March 17, 2017 @ 5:29 pm
Hi Michaela, Thank you. I was really stressed then. It was the most embarrassing yet enlightening experience I had.
March 17, 2017 @ 5:35 pm
That must have been so stressful. Not rushing is always great advice. Thanks for passing that little tidbit on.
March 17, 2017 @ 8:20 pm
Terrifying experience! I was anxious.
March 17, 2017 @ 6:04 pm
I would have been terrified! Thankfully, it all got sorted out in the end. At least you stayed calm throughout the ordeal. I know you were relieved once your passport was stamped.
March 17, 2017 @ 8:22 pm
Hi Alli, I was totally relieved. I almost hugged and kissed my passport.
March 17, 2017 @ 7:21 pm
Oh no I think I would have panicked so much! Thank you so much for sharing your experience it will definitely help me be more mindful. x
March 17, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
Thanks Sarah. Every traveler should learn mindfulness.
March 17, 2017 @ 8:37 pm
What an experience! I would have not been able to sleep all night. At least the police officers didn’t trouble you too much. 10$ is not too bad.
March 17, 2017 @ 8:40 pm
Hi Vrithi, I am still thankful for not paying more than $10. My relief was priceless.
March 17, 2017 @ 8:59 pm
What a nerve wracking scary moment when you realized you for to get the correct paperwok and passport stamped. You were ripped off with the money, it was worth it.
March 17, 2017 @ 11:45 pm
It was scary. I don’t want to go back to the border.?
March 17, 2017 @ 9:25 pm
I think I would’ve been freaking out myself! Stamp there’s no telling what they will do to you. I’m glad that it was solved so easily.
March 17, 2017 @ 9:36 pm
Oh goodness, I would have been panicked too! When I lived in Japan with my Navy husband, I forgot to get a little SOFA stamp on my passport. That stamp basically said I was living there legally. When we left to go on leave, I was detained by immigration. Fortunately, I was traveling with my marriage license to show why the name on my passport was different, and they were SUPER nice. They just gave me my stamp right there. I was terrified at first, though!
March 18, 2017 @ 5:17 am
Oh goodness! What a scary experience to find yourself in. I think that I would have melted the moment that they referred me to the police officer. Definitely a lesson learned not to do that again!
March 18, 2017 @ 5:45 am
I have yet to get my first stamp in my passport but it is good to know that if something like this were to ever happen I have options and ways to make things right.
March 18, 2017 @ 10:08 am
Oh my, that sounds like an awful lesson to learn. I can’t imagine how stressful it must’ve been. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips – hopefully it will help the next traveler to be more mindful.
March 18, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
That must be one scary situation! I remember when I was I in Taipei for a short work stint, a police officer approached me while I was in the store asking me for my ID! I actually felt all my blood drain down to my feet. I must have been so pale with fright. Thanks for sharing your experience. I don’t want that scenario to happen again.
March 19, 2017 @ 8:36 am
I am sure you were nervous. I never really knew that passport stamps were necessary. I will have to keep this in mind when I travel somewhere other than the Caribbean.
March 19, 2017 @ 8:49 am
Oh no! Thanks for these tips. I have never traveled but I will remember these tips for when I do.
March 19, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
That must have been so scary! I cannot even imagine that happening to me! I have only ever had to have my passport stamped once, and luckily I was a kid and had my mom there with me. Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I still felt strange waiting in line and was nervous for no reason haha
March 23, 2017 @ 4:46 am
Oh my gosh! I would have been panicking the whole time too! How scary!
March 23, 2017 @ 10:41 am
yes, it was! Won’t do it again.
May 6, 2017 @ 12:25 am
Great information for others to know! Thank you for sharing.
May 6, 2017 @ 12:52 am
This should be very stressful situation especially in Cambodia
May 8, 2017 @ 11:20 am
Yes, It was. But I was thankful also. One of the hardest lesson learned the hard way.
May 6, 2017 @ 12:58 am
At least it made for a good blog post?
Good information though for when I travel in the future!
May 8, 2017 @ 11:19 am
Yeah right! 🙂 Thanks Melissa
May 6, 2017 @ 1:04 am
Great pictures!!
May 6, 2017 @ 6:48 am
Ouch! Truly sorry for that ordeal. I think it was a mere oversight and I wouldn’t say it was stupid. Mistakes happen and guess what, at least you’ve ended up with what now seems to be an adventure of a story to write! 🙂
May 6, 2017 @ 3:28 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us and i’m glad you had your passport stamped actually.