When the first Bohemians began to rediscover the kingdom of Cambodia after the Vietnam War, using the term roads was simply a facile way of saying roads improved from an endless quagmire; axel breaking, oil pan smashing quagmire, on it
A soon-to-be-announced major scenic attraction that has been millions of years in the making is the road between Sre Amble and the Thai border at Had Lek, as you navigate through one of the largest primeval jungle forests, only lightly looted, that are left in the world. This vast expanse covers millions of acres, with several very distinct watersheds. You will be mesmerized by the waves of the dense foliage fading from black and silver-green to grays eventually merging with the clouds with little to no sign of man’s presence.
Today, 3 of the 4 main bridges that were memorable river crossings in the past are open and the 4th one promised to be online by the Khmer New Year. You will miss out on the adventure of these river crossings, while at the same time it will be possible to make it from Phnom Penh to Bangkok in just over 12 hours; today the best you can do is around 4:00 p.m.
Considering the distance travelled, traveling by bus is still easily the cheapest way to go to Bangkok, expect to pay $25-$30 for example from Phnom Penh to Bangkok compared to $75+ with fuel surcharges , airport fees and taxes to Bangkok. Cheap flights on Air Asia or Bangkok Air.
Taking in the scenery has always been one of the true treasures of Cambodia travel, as you wander past glistening rice ponds lined with sugar palm sentinels that allow you to take mental images for lasting memories of this exotic land.
