Is the Poipet Border Open? Aranyaprathet Crossing Status 2026
Aranyaprathet to Poipet was the busiest land crossing between Thailand and Cambodia and the default visa run from Bangkok. If you are planning to use it, check this first.
Is Poipet Open?
Every land crossing between Thailand and Cambodia has been closed since June 23, 2025, following the border conflict between the two countries. As of our last check in late October 2026, they remained closed to travelers, with no confirmed reopening date.
That includes Aranyaprathet to Poipet, Hat Lek to Cham Yeam and every smaller checkpoint along the border. Buses and minivans that used to sell through tickets from Bangkok to Siem Reap via Poipet do not run that route while the border is shut.
How To Get To Cambodia Instead
- Fly: there are frequent flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cambodia’s e-visa (about US$36) or visa on arrival (about US$30) both work at the airports
- Go via Vietnam: enter Cambodia overland at Moc Bai to Bavet or Ha Tien to Prek Chak
- Go via Laos: the Nong Nok Khiene to Trapeang Kriel crossing links southern Laos with northern Cambodia
Cambodia also asks most visitors to complete its e-Arrival card within seven days before arrival.
Best Visa Runs From Bangkok Right Now
- Nong Khai to Vientiane, the easiest land option into Laos
- Fly out and back to Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh or Vientiane. Air entries do not count toward Thailand’s land cap
Thailand’s Border Run Rules Since September 2026
Thailand changed the rules on September 15, 2026, and they matter more than any detail of the crossing itself:
- 30 days visa-free for eligible nationalities, for tourism only
- Two land-border entries per calendar year on the visa exemption. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from the cap
- Air entries are not capped, but officers screen repeat visa runners more closely
- One 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office (form TM.7, 1,900 THB)
If you have already used your two land entries this year, this crossing will not get you back in visa-free. Fly in instead, or apply for a Tourist e-Visa or the DTV before you go. Our Thailand border run rules for 2026 covers every option.
Bring Proof Of Onward Travel
Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one. See whether Cambodia asks for proof of onward travel.
If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.
FAQs
When will Poipet reopen?
No date has been announced. Reopening depends on talks between the two governments.
Are scam warnings about Poipet still relevant?
They will be again when the border reopens, especially fake visa offices and inflated fees. For now the issue is simply that it is closed.
Can I still visit Angkor Wat from Bangkok?
Yes. Fly to Siem Reap. The flight is about an hour.
The Bottom Line
Do not travel to Aranyaprathet expecting to cross. Fly into Cambodia, or choose a Laos crossing for your Thai visa run. See our guide to Cambodia border crossings for routes from the Cambodian side.