What should I do if I have a one day overstay on my tourist visa in Thailand?

Feb 9, 2020
5 years ago
Annika ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi - I have (maybe) a problem. I am from Sweden, staying five months/year in Thailand for the last five years. I always come here on a tourist visa with one extension around New Year. In January I always go to visit my son in Australia, where I apply for another turistvisa. But this year I forgot that February has 29 days, which leaves me with oe day overstay. I asked the officer at the immigration when I arrived back from Australia to Thailand about two weeks ago and she said to me that I just can pay for one day overstay (B 500) at the airport when I leave. I have meanwhile been talking to some of my friends and most of them think the best I can do is to go to the immigration and pay in advance.

So is there anyone who has/had the same problem?

Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Swedish expat staying in Thailand encountered a one-day overstay on their tourist visa and sought advice on whether to pay the fine at the airport or resolve it in advance with immigration. Comments suggested that the fine for an overstay of less than 24 hours is typically waived upon departure from the airport, though many recommended visiting immigration for a visa extension to avoid any record of overstay, which could affect future visa applications.
James ********
Good luck to the OP.

You have good suggestions and advice...now its your decision what to do .

Commenting closed.
Jerome ********
One day they even don't make you pay sometimes
Jw ********
I accidentally overstayed by one day in December. I too was worried at first. You just have to pay for the one day, 500bht per person upon leaving. My girl and I were not charged for the overstay and no overstay stamp. Guess it helped to speak a little Thai.
Ellie *******
At the airport, overstay fine is waived if it's less than 24hours (means just 1 day).
Denise ***********
Hi, I have exactly the same situation, leaving to see my son in Australia, Tourist Exempt runs out 1 day before I fly. My bad. I've have also been advised to pay the 1900 and get another 30 days. So I have. ๐Ÿ˜
Robert *******
You are not the first tourist and for sure not the last tourist who miscalculate the days of stay with 1 day. I never heard 1 story that a person on the way to the airport with a valid ticket to leave Thailand got arrested, jailed, sent to court, jailed again and then sent back to their home country. But it is a nice way to tell do not overstay.

Go to the airport on time, you get an extra stamp in your passport and no fine when it is less then 24 hours.
Eze ********
I agree with the others that say go to immigration and get an extension.

In the past there were no real consequences for overstaying but now there are some, such as not being able to get certain visas at at least one embassy in the region, as has already been mentioned.

Things may continue to change and you spend a lot of time in Thailand every year.

Avoid the overstay if you can.
Gregor **********
for peace of mind, I would go to Immigration a few days before your visa expires, and extend with 30 days for 1900.- THB. Remember, maybe some day you might want to get the Elite Visa. One single day of recorded overstay, and you will never be able to get it
Ellie *******
If you make it to the airport, you will be get stamped overstay but overstay fine will be waived less than 24 hours (only upon departure at airport). Overstay fine is 500 thb per day.

If you happened to see the police on your way to airport, you would face to big problem as others mentioned already above.

Right now overstay stamp affects getting SETV from Penang, possibly Vientiane (around SEA).

Many people don't care and leave paying fine after overstay. Many people would go to immigration office to get 30 extension for 1900thb (or do border bounce) to avoid getting overstay stamp.

The choices are in front of you and, wise or not, the decision is yours.
James **********
@Ellie ******
would this extra day overstay bar someone from applying for an elite visa?
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