What should I do if I overstay my visa by a few hours in Thailand before my flight?

Question

How big of a deal is it if I overstay by a few hours?  I have a flight to Buenos Aires on Sept 3rd at 11am out of Bangkok, and I'm authorized to stay in Thailand up to the 2nd (via an extension of a SETV, so I can't just do an extension to buy more time beyond the 2nd).  I want to come back to Thailand 3 weeks later via Bangkok and I want to do what I can now to avoid having problems when I'm facing Bangkok immigration.  I've been in Thailand for 2.5 years on tourist visas and border bounces, but I have a new passport (received in January) that only shows 2 SETVs (one of those being from the previous passport) and a border bounce to Laos.  So should I do a border bounce before the 2nd?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The individual is concerned about the implications of overstaying their visa in Thailand by a few hours before a flight. They are considering options such as checking in early at the airport, planning to do a border bounce for a new visa exemption, or getting an extension denial stamp. Comments suggest that small overstays (under 24 hours) may not incur fines if flying out, but caution is advised as immigration tracks entries and exits regardless of what is recorded in the passport. Various strategies are proposed to avoid issues at immigration.

Tod ********* · Answer

and I think that [mention redacted] has more than enough suggestions to figure out what to do.

Tod ********* · Answer

You have your choices,

-Get a 7 day extension denied stamp at the immigration office for 1900baht

-Bounce out and back in to get a 30 day visa exempt entry

-overstay under 24 hours without getting fined (because overstays of under 24 hours the fine is waived when you fly out) AND get the "overstay under 24 hours fine waived" stamp in your passport

FWIW: the overstay under 24 hours stamp looks like this:

Ritish ************** · Answer

go to airport and inside and wait

Stevie ******* · Answer

My experience----Just smile the hours away. Normally, you just have to reach the airport...Once you are at immigration. they will not make any trouble. Just try to avoid to get catched on the way to the airport...If you wanna be safe, go there some houtrs before...

Nathan ******** · Answer

[mention redacted] Oh I hadn't thought of spending the night past immigration, that seems like an even better idea.

Tod ********* · Answer

Or if you don't have two 30 day visa exempt entries by land yet this year you could border bounce for a 30 day visa exempt entry,

Nathan ******** · Answer

[mention redacted] Thanks for the tip!

Benjamin ****** · Answer

It's against the law. You have a couple of options:

1. Apply for another extension of stay. If they agree to process it, you'll get refused and have 7 days to leave Thailand.

2. Go to the airport a bit early, and spend the night past immigration [Edit: Or no, too early].

3. Immigration knows when you entered and leave the country, regardless of what's in your passport.

In my opinion, get the right visa for your stay, it's only a matter of time before you get rejected at the airport/ border.

Tod ********* · Answer

You could get a 7 day 'extension denied" stamp from the immigration office for 1900 baht

What should I do if I overstay my visa by a few hours in Thailand before my flight?

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