Experiencing the cross

Now Cambodians and Thais could cross each other's borders without visa. They could stay as tourists up to two weeks, and all they need are simply their passports.

Just a week before the new agreement implemented, I had a chance to experience the border crossing without using my passport (I confessed I forgot at home) but ID card. The purpose was just to shop at the Cambodian-Thai friendship market located in Thailand.

I had two options, one was to go for a Border Pass that allows me to stay in Thailand for a week and get it revalidated every week. The second choice was to get an Immigration Card that grants me rights to wander around the border market up to 8 p.m. I went for the second one as it fit with my plan.

Instead of standing in the queue, I could sit. But my turn was not guaranteed.

The card making process was simple: waiting, taking a photo, showing ID card, paying fee, and waiting again. It was not long, just around five minutes, but waiting in the queue before that was a pain. Anyway, it was worth to do so as the shopping experience next was pleasant.

This is the market but I am sorry as I took only one photo. I was interested in its goods more than its images.