Aranyaprathet (อรัญประเทศ, also Aran Yaprathet, Aranya Prathet, or just Aran) is a border town in Eastern Thailand (Sa Kaeo province). Nearby is Poipet; Cambodia's busiest land crossing, which is the most popular tourist route for travel between Bangkok and Siem Reap (and the Angkor Archaeological Park).
The border is 6 km to the southeast of the town. It is open 08:00 to 20:00. There is no time difference between the two countries. Immediately next to the Thai immigration facilities is Rongkleu Market, which hosts banks, cafes, a convenience store, money exchanges, and buses. The market, like the border and the town itself, is the scene of industrial-scale visa scams for unwary travellers. Immediately on the Cambodian side of the border is Poipet, a much maligned, grotty hole that appeals to those with a warped aesthetic.
For the traveller, Aran's focus is the crossroads near the train station. Clockwise the roads go to the train station (northeast), to the border (southeast), to the clock tower and the town centre (southwest) and to the bus station (northwest). The town can serve as a staging point for journeys to various points in both Thailand and Cambodia, though the Bangkok-Siem Reap trip is the one that most travellers will undertake.
- Bus Station, watch the departures to far and wide. There is also a market.
- Cement reservoir, a central focal point where people gather to drink and eat at food stalls.
- Rongkleu Market, a market next to the immigration office at the border. Traders are mainly Khmer from neighbouring Poipet.
- Train Station, never a dull moment train spotting. Each of the station's two daily departures have different rolling stock: a diesel railcar in the morning and an engine-hauled train in the afternoon.
Bus Station, watch the departures to far and wide. There is also a market.
Cement reservoir, a central focal point where people gather to drink and eat at food stalls.
Rongkleu Market, a market next to the immigration office at the border. Traders are mainly Khmer from neighbouring [[Poipet]].
Train Station, never a dull moment train spotting. Each of the station's two daily departures have different rolling stock: a diesel railcar in the morning and an engine-hauled train in the afternoon.
- Luck Gym, opposite Mini Big C just off Ratuthit Rd (From Aran Garden 1 Hotel, go towards the big CAT tower on Ratuthit Road. Continue about 300m past the CAT tower, look for the Mini Big C sign on the left.. Modern and friendly place. B70 per visit. Monthly rates available also.
Luck Gym, opposite Mini Big C just off Ratuthit Rd (From Aran Garden 1 Hotel, go towards the big CAT tower on Ratuthit Road. Continue about 300m past the CAT tower, look for the Mini Big C sign on the left.. Modern and friendly place. B70 per visit. Monthly rates available also.
Central Aran has several banks with ATMs and foreign exchange. When the banks are closed changing money is difficult in the town, though there should be traders at the border willing to exchange money. Over the border in Poipet, baht and dollars can be changed with market traders all day and well into the evening.
- Mini-market. Not as big as Tesco, but at least it's right in town. Has basic groceries/snacks at decent prices.
- Rongkleu Market. Has a surprising range of goods that will interest those who like buying stuff.
- 7-Eleven. has set up shop in several locations, notably at the border in Rongkleu Market, in the town centre and near the bus station.
- Tesco Lotus. Daily, 08:00-22:00. New shopping center has several clothing/accessory stores, as well as fast food restaurants and groceries. The songthaews from the border no longer go out here. Grab a tuk tuk or it's a half hour walk along the highway from the bus station.
Mini-market. Not as big as Tesco, but at least it's right in town. Has basic groceries/snacks at decent prices.
Rongkleu Market. Has a surprising range of goods that will interest those who like buying stuff.
7-Eleven. has set up shop in several locations, notably at the border in Rongkleu Market, in the town centre and near the bus station.
Tesco Lotus. Daily, 08:00-22:00. New shopping center has several clothing/accessory stores, as well as fast food restaurants and groceries. The songthaews from the border no longer go out here. Grab a tuk tuk or it's a half hour walk along the highway from the bus station.
If you're looking for breakfast in the morning there are half-a-dozen cheap noodle restaurants (open from 8am): walk along Jidsuwan Road north to south (4 blocks; from hwy 33 to a 711 store @ corner of Jidsuwan / Mit Samphan). There are also fruit sellers in the market and some other convenience stores in town. Numerous restaurants are open in the afternoon and evening.
- Night market - 2 blocks east of Aran Garden 2 Hotel, beside the 'cement reservoir', and offering the usual range of Thai food.
- Aranyaprathet Walking Street. Side streets on both sides of the compound have food stalls, the one to the north during the day, and the one to the south evenings. The evening Walking Street is mostly for takeaway as there are very few places to sit.
Night market - 2 blocks east of Aran Garden 2 Hotel, beside the 'cement reservoir', and offering the usual range of Thai food.
Aranyaprathet Walking Street. Side streets on both sides of the compound have food stalls, the one to the north during the day, and the one to the south evenings. The evening Walking Street is mostly for takeaway as there are very few places to sit.
Real coffee (at least for farangs) can be found at Coffee Break on the road heading southeast from the clock tower. Free Wi-Fi.
There are more than 6 Internet cafés in the centre of (0.5 kilometre radius) Aranyaprathet. They have broadband and are reliably fast. 20 baht/hour, or 40 baht /3 hours. The post office is on the road from the train station to the clock tower.
A not so well-known diversion (it will add about 24 hrs to the trip) on the Bangkok-Aran route is Nang Rong, which is near some rather groovy Angkorian temples. From Aran, take any north-bound bus, e.g., to Buriram, Korat, Si Saket or Ubon Ratchathani-all of which have train stations (approximately 100 baht to Nang Rong). Fortunately, Nang Rong is easy to pronounce so the bus people will know where you're heading and tell you when it's time to get off. Nang Rong is well-connected by bus to Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal (5 hr); or for train connections, head to one of the above towns.