that's the best bet. Clear paper trails make the most sense. I was forgetting about the rules with 90 day report extensions. Sorry about that. Since I left yesterday before my extension was due I didn't have to worry about it and my mind is still on the travel haze haha. But I'm coming back on a different non Ed visa, through a university this time. Good luck with your DTV and keep a copy of all paperwork, in case they want to see it when you apply for the new dtv.
However, I left before my first 90 day extension. So after the first extension you're on the hook or your sponsor is and the sponsor can write a letter saying you've left early so immigration had a clear paper trail.
If you were stamped out by Thai immigration before your visa or extension expired, you’re fine — no penalty.
The overstay clock stops the moment you’re stamped out.
But if your extension had already expired before you left, even by a day, then yes — they’ll fine you on departure, right there at the airport. The officer calculates the number of days you overstayed and charges 500 baht per day, capped at 20,000 baht. Once you pay, you can leave freely.
If you cleared the checkpoint before expiration, you owe nothing, and when you later come back on a DTV visa, you’re entering clean.
So the simple rule:
Left before expiry → no fine, no issue.
Left after expiry → fined on departure, but usually no long-term problem if the overstay was short.