Just to update - I left last night to a neighboring country and will apply for a tourist visa. I did go down to Immigration at Chamchuri and they suggested to pay fine and fly out. My visa is a Non-Imm B because I was working here but since I quit to go on sabbatical for a few months, I couldn’t renew it or extend the stay.
At Immigration at the airport I told them I needed to pay fine for overstay and was taken to the office where a few others were already taking care of their fines.
I paid 7k thb, signed a little paper that was essentially a receipt for my fine. I asked if I needed to be worried about returning. The two officers chuckled and said “No don’t worry, come back tomorrow ka.”
I debated staying a few more days because traveling right now is expensive but I didn’t want to be stuck in my condo for a week too afraid to get stopped (only happened twice in 5 years I’ve been here).
I made the mistake of not paying attention to my stamp, as I’ve been here for several years with a non-B, and multiple entry permit that my company has always taken care of and I never had to worry about my immigration status.
My experience was not as serious as some people are making it believe, so the fearmongering that I was doomed or I would be arrested while seeking help is probably what the Thai govt want you to believe 😉.
I’m not saying this as a way of making you feel it’s okay to overstay, as this was not my intention, and was a honest mistake. I’m also fortunate that I discovered this and not police (even if the chances are extremely rare) and complied to leave as soon as I found out. There was no interrogation or interview. I only was asked if I still working for my company or not and asked to pay my fine.
It was a Non B visa when I was working here in Thailand and I got a 1 year rentry visa. I left the country to work soemwhere else and returned back in November.
