What should I do if my 30-day visa is about to expire just before my flight out of Thailand? Should I extend it or pay the overstay fees?

Nov 28, 2017
7 years ago
Olga ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Guys, has anyone been in a situation where your entry 30 day visa runs a mere couple of days before your next flight out of the country? Not to have issues in the future, do you go through the whole Changwattana ordeal and extend it or just pay those couple of days at the airport on the way out? Thanks for your input in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around what to do when facing a short overstay of your 30-day Thai visa just days before a flight out of the country. Opinions vary on whether to extend the visa to avoid any potential issues or simply pay the overstay fee at the airport. Some users suggest that while the fine for a short overstay is relatively low (500 baht per day up to 90 days), it's generally better to avoid overstays to prevent any complications in future visa applications. Others share personal experiences, indicating that they had no issues leaving the country after minor overstays. There is advice to consider possible interactions with law enforcement or immigration officers, which could lead to complications if contacted during an overstay.
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Tod *********
And on that note I believe the O/P has enough information to

A ) make an educated decision about what to do

OR

B ) be thoroughly confused on what to do.

Either way I think we're done here
William **************
An overstay is an overstay. Be it one day or what ever. The issue is if you get stopped else where outside the airport they could detain you till your court date where you have to show a departure ticket or be held till your can do so. Better would be get the extension and be safe. Chances to be stopped would be slim to none. Up to you in the end.
Bobby ****
if you intend to come back to thailand, do not overstay. you never know what may come back to bite ya
Richard *******
@David ***********
I am not giving advice, I am simply stating a fact. I cleared the overstay's at the airport each time and i have never had any trouble about this since.
Richard *******
I overstayed a few days on three different occasions back in the 1980's It has never been a problem.
Tod *********
Okay, despite the naysayers shouting out the letter of the law and the possible ramifications of overstaying, a short overstay as a rule is NO problem at all to clear when you fly out of the country.

Now, I am not condoning overstaying but I am saying there is no penalty other than the 500 baht a day for overstays of less than 90 days when you turn yourself in <- which is what you do when you show up at the airport or a land border to leave.

Now with that being said an overstay isn't really the problem it's getting caught out on some other issue inside the country while you're on overstay.
Tod *********
@Bobby ***
I find it sad that people won't stand up to an immigration officer when things like this happen. :/
Bobby ****
it was a husband/wife. so 4000 total, sorry. CR immigration has some interesting folks working if you catch them on the right day :)
Tod *********
@Bobby ***
something is NOT right with that story. you can do a 90 day report 15 days before and up to 7 days AFTER your actual due date without getting a fine. Plus the fine for late reporting is 2000baht.
Bobby ****
i know of someone here in CR that went to immigration for their 90 day check in, 1 day late, and were fined 4000 baht. i am aware it wasnt a fly out of the country, but still. things are getting tighter, and why risk it? if you have to ask these questions such as'will this get me in trouble' then you should already know what your decision should be. but in the end it is up to you of course.
Tod *********
@Ol**
, I personally have never ever heard of a person being denied a visa from a thai consulate because they had an overstay stamp in their passport.
Olga ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod. I doubt I’ll be able to get into trouble in 2 days. But now I have conflicting advice here. As I say, it’s literally 2 days. But what I definitely don’t want is to have some nasty stamp which will complicate things in the future once I’m applying for my non-O
Paul *******
Pay 1900B and get it extended.. rather than have an overstay..
Graeme **********
But not saying this is the correct way!
Christopher ***********
Spot on Graeme, IO would only think in terms of expense to you (but credit to them for actually doing so).
Graeme **********
Just been in the same situation, planned to fly with 2 days overstay, went to immigration for extension and they turned me away because the cost for 2 days fine (1000baht) is less than what it would have cost for the extension. I told the immigration police the story at the airport and asked if this is okay and if it would cause any problems in the future coming back in, they told me no problem.
Olga ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh that’s surprising! Ok, I guess I have a chance of blagging it then
Olga ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much for taking your time to reply! Much appreciate it
Robert *******
Problem starts when an Official like Police stops you and ask for your passport during the days of overstay. It is better to avoid.
Steve *******
Always better to get the extention than overstay
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