The 1970 visa run into a war zone

The Thai/Cambodian border has been in the news lately and let's hope everything is sorted out quickly and amicably. It sparked memories of the first time I crossed into Cambodia from Thailand back in October 1970. Now that’s a long time ago.

- Roger Crutchley

The border had only just reopened after being closed for many years. The crossing point was at Aranyaprathet from where you had to walk to the Cambodian town of Poipet. I was with Bangkok Post colleague Tony Waltham and for both of us the trip served as a visa run and the opportunity to experience a new country. It also had its dangers as Cambodia was an active war zone being very much caught up in the Vietnam conflict which would not end for another five years.

The journey involved a 6am departure from Hua Lamphong railway station and I recall we were both pretty tired from lack of sleep when we reached Aranyaprathet. We had to walk across the border and at a checkpoint were greeted on the roadside by Cambodian immigration officials who were not familiar with processing Westerners but they were quite friendly.

One official examined Tony’s British passport thoroughly although he appeared to be holding it upside down for much of the time. He finally handed the passport back to Tony and said with a big grin “You American”.

Battambang choo choo