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What should expats know about overstaying their visas in Thailand?
Nov 24, 2017
8 years ago
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERLet this be a good warning.
Check the dates in your passport and follow the rules:
Check the dates in your passport and follow the rules:
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation provides warnings regarding overstaying visas in Thailand, highlighting the importance of adhering to immigration rules. Many comments point out that while some foreigners overstay, most can easily rectify their status by paying fines or surrendering at the border without facing arrest. The discussion emphasizes that understanding and following visa rules can help avoid legal issues.
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Andrew ******
People worryingly too much. Why not just enjoy each others company instead? 55
Ivan ************
I think there is a lot of scaremongering going on and veritable glee from certain members over this. If you read the article it seems far less dramatic. Over 900 of this headline figure is people who just turned up at a border paid 500B and left. No drama.
The article covers "Immigration Bureau Region 3 – covering the East and Central regions of Thailand" i.e. it covers a vast swathe of the country. Including the borders.
Of the 983 foreigners in the headline with overstays, "Across Region 3, officers said, 911 foreigners surrendered and 72 were arrested." So only 72 people were arrested. 911 "surrendered". And that's across all of Eastern AND Central Thailand. A substantial percentage of the whole country. For Eastern Thailand (which includes the border with Cambodia), "42 overstaying foreigners were arrested and 161 other surrendered to face fines in the eastern region." So the vast majority of the foreigners in this report, almost 95% of them merely "surrendered to face fines" and were NOT arrested. If you went to Poipet or Koh Kong with a one day overstay and spent 5 minutes and paid 500B, you are in that stat as "surrendered".
The article covers "Immigration Bureau Region 3 – covering the East and Central regions of Thailand" i.e. it covers a vast swathe of the country. Including the borders.
Of the 983 foreigners in the headline with overstays, "Across Region 3, officers said, 911 foreigners surrendered and 72 were arrested." So only 72 people were arrested. 911 "surrendered". And that's across all of Eastern AND Central Thailand. A substantial percentage of the whole country. For Eastern Thailand (which includes the border with Cambodia), "42 overstaying foreigners were arrested and 161 other surrendered to face fines in the eastern region." So the vast majority of the foreigners in this report, almost 95% of them merely "surrendered to face fines" and were NOT arrested. If you went to Poipet or Koh Kong with a one day overstay and spent 5 minutes and paid 500B, you are in that stat as "surrendered".
Tod *********
As has been said many times it's NOT the overstay that is particularly dangerous (as long as it's less than 90 days you don't get a ban when you leave the country), it's getting caught out by the authorities for something else while on overstay that can run you off the rails.
I too think it's a scaremongering post because it made no mention of the length of time the offenders overstayed or anything. I think it was a b/s feel good post put out to show that the authorities are doing their jobs :O
I too think it's a scaremongering post because it made no mention of the length of time the offenders overstayed or anything. I think it was a b/s feel good post put out to show that the authorities are doing their jobs :O
Ivan ************
@Da***
it depends on whether your overstay is discovered in the course of the police doing some other investigation- the article mentions some of those being arrested were sought for other criminal matters. It also probably depends on the severity of the overstay. But the vast majority of these (911) were just routine fines on the way out.Dario **********
Also... why were some arrested and other merely hit with the 500 b fine?
David ************
Last weeks news
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David ************
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Amornrat **********
It looks that they start to get problems with their good "friends" from Mainland China. What I do not understand that Westerners or Russian need to overstay, it is plain stupid. If you take a little time and study a little bit the visa rules you will find many option to be suitable to you and your budget.
Robert ********
There is also a large stack of passports belonging to British nationals. Blatantly overstaying ones visa or abusing the terms of that visa is simply being disrespectful to your host nation.
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Robert ********
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Peter *******
It really is that hard to know when the time to leave or extend ....
Most of the time I do not know what day it is week or month. ( And I don't drink)
I was lucky in having a friend JD Gruen who has a clear mind and kept me on track.
Even still don't wait till the last day to go get your next visa or extension!
Most of the time I do not know what day it is week or month. ( And I don't drink)
I was lucky in having a friend JD Gruen who has a clear mind and kept me on track.
Even still don't wait till the last day to go get your next visa or extension!
Steve ********
I have a calendar into which I write all important, and some not-so-important, events as a reminder. I keep the calendar in plain sight next to the computer so I don't forget to look at it.
Dannie ***************
Hire yourself a personal ‘minder’ to deal with your creeping dementia. 😳😀
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Dannie ***************
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Fatah **********
If someone overstay and have child here
So how can get visa ???
So how can get visa ???
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERLeave the country, pay the overstay, if the overstay is longer than 90 days you will get black listed, if so you have to wait till black list time is done. Visit a Thai consulate or Embassy and apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on having a child. You must have documents from the family court in Thailand.
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Robert *******
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Phil *******
Looks like a lot of UK ones stacked up
Ertram **********
Most of the pictured passports, a big majority, are not from Western countries.
Ivan ************
Robert if you actually read the article it said 90% of the headline number "surrendered" and merely paid the fine and were on their way. This 983 figure is mostly people who presented themselves at a border, paid 500Bx whatever number of days, and left. Only 70 odd people were arrested, across all of Central and Eastern Thailand. Only 40 in the Eastern Region. That's presumably the passports. The other 900 just paid and left. Like normal. You are being dramatic.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERFrom the time you got arrested till the time you manage to pay the ticket back home, you are in the Immigration Detention Center. You're not allowed to walk around free and visit bars.
Ertram **********
Robert Lagas So, what does that have to do with what I said...overstays only result in "time" you talked about if you are already a wanted criminal. Otherwise, it is a max fine of 20,000 baht and a boot out of the country. No jail time involved for overstay.unless of course you simply enjoy pontificating. :)
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERAbout 50 passports on the picture of the 983. Your country of origin does not matter, do not overstay or face the time if you commit the crime where ever you from.
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Robert *******
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Andrea ********
The sad thing is the most culprits are still Thais or who is selling all this nasty yaba and ice shit!!!!
Stéfan ********
It's obvious that the culprits already know that they're breaking the law, don't you think?
Ivan ************
@Steve *******
it would be 500 x the number of days yes but the point is the vast majority just paid their fine and that was that. That's what the article says, 911 surrendered "to pay fines" (the 500B) and were not arrested. Ban if over 90 but that has been the rule for a few years. Nothing new here, people are just scaremongering.Steve ********
I assume most of the 900 were not just one day over so the fine would be much higher, or worse.
Ivan ************
@T**
from the article the figures cover the entirety of Eastern and Central Thailand and the vast majority (90%) "surrendered". From my reading of the article, over 900 of these 983 probably just "surrendered" at the border and paid their 500B. It says they "surrendered to face fines"- that's exactly what happens if you present yourself at a border and pay the 500B, that's "surrendered to face fines". And 5 minutes later and 500B lighter in the pocket and you are done.Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERDo not worry, do not overstay. Worry if you overstay. There is no alternative.
Steve ********
@Tod ********
... except I just read a comment above that they are stopping vans heading to the border and arresting over-stayers. So that can be a very risky IF. I prefer not to have the worry of overstaying. I accidentally overstayed 2 days last year because I put the wrong date in my calendar. I was in a panic till I got the next stamp at the border because I was risking a 1-5 year ban. I never want to go through that again.Stéfan ********
Robert Lagas : the advice on this page has been very clear for a long time... If not, it usually comes from someone who is misinformed (no body is perfect) and new at visiting Thailand.
Tod *********
It's still not a problem IF you get to the border or to the immigration office and clear it. The problem is getting caught on overstay when they stop you for something else before you have had a chance to clear it.
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHow many times we read also on this page the advice of some ...........(I would be banned if I use the word): Few days overstay is no problem.
Tod *********
of course they did, that's why the majority of the turned themselves in. They were obviously told by who's ever palm they were greasing to stay illegally that they were gonna get arrested if they didn't come turn themselves in.
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Tod *********
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Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI read yesterday, that minivans to borders are being stopped on the way and people get arrested. It is just Pattaya news who is the first one to publish the figures.
Narelle ************
Yep people from Samui and Phangan detained
Robert ********
Mini busses being stopped at many places, don't think Mai bpen rai... Do NOT OVERSTAY!
Robert ********
That should not be a problem as long as visitors do not overstay...quite simple really.
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Robert ********
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David ************
Or stay away from Pattaya.
Robert ********
Immigration detention is getting crowded...
Robert *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWould be busy in there.
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Robert *******
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