SA KAEO, Thailand – Facing mounting pressure from heightened Thai border security, Cambodian casinos near Poipet are launching a survival strategy: air-and-road tour packages that fly gamblers into Siem Reap, followed by a 3–4 hour van transfer to the casino zone near the Thai border.
Triggered by intensified passport and visa checks at Thailand’s Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing, this new route aims to sidestep direct overland entry from Thailand, which has become increasingly difficult over the past few weeks under military scrutiny by Thailand’s Burapha Task Force.
A senior Cambodian source revealed on June 19 that casinos have begun quietly rolling out “VIP travel packages” in collaboration with local businesses and airlines, targeting gamblers from major Thai cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. These packages offer door-to-door service, including luxury vans equipped with food, drinks, and onboard Wi-Fi, primarily catering to VIP clients and frequent border crossers who now face added scrutiny.
“This direct-flight model to Siem Reap, followed by private van to the casino zone, is a backup plan in case the Thai side stays unpredictable,” said a mid-level casino manager. “Some casinos are already offering full VIP treatment on the road to keep customers satisfied.”
Border analysts see this as a proactive business maneuver—not only to retain regular clientele but also to reposition the image of casino travel as smooth and secure, even amid Thai border clampdowns. If the new route gains popularity, it could eventually draw fresh attention from Thai security agencies back toward the Siem Reap airport.
Ultimately, the “Siem Reap flight – Poipet van” approach signals a strategic shift by Cambodia’s casino operators to reduce reliance on Thai checkpoints while preserving their customer base in an era of political and border policy uncertainty.
