Well, its nice to see we are such an understanding lot on this forum.
The max that any of them overstayed was 6 days.
About 5 years ago i overstayed 26 days and i am sure you would or will condem me for that.
Paid the fine at the airport and all was ok.
The reason for my overstay was due to problems in the factory and myself having little knowledge of the regulations.
Its so so easy to sit at your computer and condem others, but i for one would feel that the treatment they have so far faced is a scandal.
What ever the rights or wrongs we should remember, treat people as you would expect to be treated yourself.
These people from what i have read are not criminals just misguided.
Mike.
Arrests on Visa Run.
mike totaly agree
overstays of 1 to 6 days have always been looked upon as a minor misdermena in the kingdom
lomu i have no gripe with you but comon have you never broke a rule in the kingdom
people gripe about a 200 baht fine for not wearing a helmet this is the same punishment for 1 day overstay yet they stay a couple of nights in an off beat prison cell then the imigration detention centre for another few nights deported maybe blacklisted from the kingdom no no no this cant be condoned
there has got to be more to this
would it be fair to be locked up for not carrying a pasport ?
i for one never carry such an important document with me, ok yes many carry a photo copy
but would you feel hard done by if you had to spend 2 hours in a police cell nevermind a few days and then deported for such a minor rule break?
i am personaly guilty of overstays on a few ocasions i am not condoning this but will certanly not condem it,it happens and will happen again as i say there as got to be more to this
ok if the line as been now drawn of course it will need to be adhered to but this treatment is disgusting
even these guys embersys have turned there back on there countrymen
sorry to rant on about this
chok dee
jambo
overstays of 1 to 6 days have always been looked upon as a minor misdermena in the kingdom
lomu i have no gripe with you but comon have you never broke a rule in the kingdom
people gripe about a 200 baht fine for not wearing a helmet this is the same punishment for 1 day overstay yet they stay a couple of nights in an off beat prison cell then the imigration detention centre for another few nights deported maybe blacklisted from the kingdom no no no this cant be condoned
there has got to be more to this
would it be fair to be locked up for not carrying a pasport ?
i for one never carry such an important document with me, ok yes many carry a photo copy
but would you feel hard done by if you had to spend 2 hours in a police cell nevermind a few days and then deported for such a minor rule break?
i am personaly guilty of overstays on a few ocasions i am not condoning this but will certanly not condem it,it happens and will happen again as i say there as got to be more to this
ok if the line as been now drawn of course it will need to be adhered to but this treatment is disgusting
even these guys embersys have turned there back on there countrymen
sorry to rant on about this
chok dee
jambo
For me personally, when going overseas for long periods of time, obtaining a visa and knowing exactly how long I can stay is paramount.
Also if I need to stay beyond the permitted time, I'd make sure I find out how to do it, and the punishments if I overstayed the visa (including what the authorities are like in that country regarding corruption etc).
It's about taking responsibility for yourself.
No sympathy for them from me I'm afraid.
Burger
Also if I need to stay beyond the permitted time, I'd make sure I find out how to do it, and the punishments if I overstayed the visa (including what the authorities are like in that country regarding corruption etc).
It's about taking responsibility for yourself.
No sympathy for them from me I'm afraid.
Burger
I have to agree with TTM on this. lomu, I also agree with the fact that visa rules must be obeyed and there are no excuses however ...
My gripe was at those brown uniformed idiots that call themselves police in this country. Great detective work there guys, go after the rich farangs again who you can easily extort money out of while there are rapes, murders, terrorists, mafia and more road deaths anually here than any in other country on the planet. Great police work guys, keep it up, you're keeping Thai people safe from hard crime.
My gripe was at those brown uniformed idiots that call themselves police in this country. Great detective work there guys, go after the rich farangs again who you can easily extort money out of while there are rapes, murders, terrorists, mafia and more road deaths anually here than any in other country on the planet. Great police work guys, keep it up, you're keeping Thai people safe from hard crime.
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tuktukmike
- Guru
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:02 am
My reason for posting this was the comments about bribes, ie
“I think that’s impossible. I can guarantee that the Tourist Police officers did not ask for money because we are not in trouble [financially] and I constantly remind them to not do that.
I cant help but feel the reason they are getting this sort of treatment is due to the fact they blew the whistle.
I would guess these people were not long timers in LOS so the idea of paying a bribe was out of the question, i am sure the rest of us who live here would have accepted it and paid up.
Sure they were in the wrong, but i wonder who advised them about the visa run.
Mike.
“I think that’s impossible. I can guarantee that the Tourist Police officers did not ask for money because we are not in trouble [financially] and I constantly remind them to not do that.
I cant help but feel the reason they are getting this sort of treatment is due to the fact they blew the whistle.
I would guess these people were not long timers in LOS so the idea of paying a bribe was out of the question, i am sure the rest of us who live here would have accepted it and paid up.
Sure they were in the wrong, but i wonder who advised them about the visa run.
Mike.
To all that have replied to this post either for and against. Here in Australia, they are as strict on people overstaying their visas as what has happened to these guys.
If you overstay a holiday visa or a working holiday visa, there is no turning up later at the office to renew, if you get caught you are gone.
There is no 2nd chance, they take you straight to the detention centre and once you are processed, you are on the next available plane to your land of residence.
Does not matter whether it is 1 day, 10 days or 10 years you are all treated the same.
I also cannot understand (even if you have only been in LOS for a short time), if somebody offered me a way out of it for $150 Australia Dollars, I know what way I would have gone.
By not going that way, they have obviously pissed off the man in brown and ended up in the slammer.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if one of them did take them up on their offer. (Would they have got away with it or not). Would they have got their visa, or would they have got done for offering a bribe.
It also makes me wonder, when you go on a run, do you have to let the operator know if you have a valid visa or not. Because if you have to do that, my guess is that they may have been a call from one of the operatives on the coach to let the Jobsworth's in the tourist police know that there is a dozen illegals on his bus.
Probably gets paid by the number of collars that they make.
I know if it was me and I had overstayed, there is no way that I would divulge any sort of info like that to a coach operator.
Whatever happens to those who got caught, cannot be helped now, but I bet it has served as a big wake up call to all of you overthere, not to forget to renew your visa.
Just remember you are in their country and as much as you may not aggre with them, you must abide by their rules.
If you overstay a holiday visa or a working holiday visa, there is no turning up later at the office to renew, if you get caught you are gone.
There is no 2nd chance, they take you straight to the detention centre and once you are processed, you are on the next available plane to your land of residence.
Does not matter whether it is 1 day, 10 days or 10 years you are all treated the same.
I also cannot understand (even if you have only been in LOS for a short time), if somebody offered me a way out of it for $150 Australia Dollars, I know what way I would have gone.
By not going that way, they have obviously pissed off the man in brown and ended up in the slammer.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if one of them did take them up on their offer. (Would they have got away with it or not). Would they have got their visa, or would they have got done for offering a bribe.
It also makes me wonder, when you go on a run, do you have to let the operator know if you have a valid visa or not. Because if you have to do that, my guess is that they may have been a call from one of the operatives on the coach to let the Jobsworth's in the tourist police know that there is a dozen illegals on his bus.
Probably gets paid by the number of collars that they make.
I know if it was me and I had overstayed, there is no way that I would divulge any sort of info like that to a coach operator.
Whatever happens to those who got caught, cannot be helped now, but I bet it has served as a big wake up call to all of you overthere, not to forget to renew your visa.
Just remember you are in their country and as much as you may not aggre with them, you must abide by their rules.
Fair enough. I appreciate that there is another side to the feelings about this.
I've overstayed more times than I'll ever let anyone on this forum know. I've just not been caught. However, I did realise the potential risk of the situation I was in. My decision. (BTW, I've not done it for years now).
Maybe it's just me, but having had two really "good" excuses for overstaying - hospialised and court matters - I just can't find any sympathy for those who reckon they'll get away with it for a day or so.
How would the UK authorities react to a Thai person who'd overstayed by a day or so? That person could be your g/f, wife/bf - whatever. I doubt they'd be given much clemency.
I agree that the penalties are harsh here and it's something that could be looked at by those in power.
But the excuses given by the tourist in this instance still make me laugh and cry at the same time.
As a PS to Jambo (and like you, I've not having a go), you'd better make sure you are wearing your helmet whilst riding a bike if you're on overstay. Nothing like having to produce your passport in those circumstances, eh?
I've overstayed more times than I'll ever let anyone on this forum know. I've just not been caught. However, I did realise the potential risk of the situation I was in. My decision. (BTW, I've not done it for years now).
Maybe it's just me, but having had two really "good" excuses for overstaying - hospialised and court matters - I just can't find any sympathy for those who reckon they'll get away with it for a day or so.
How would the UK authorities react to a Thai person who'd overstayed by a day or so? That person could be your g/f, wife/bf - whatever. I doubt they'd be given much clemency.
I agree that the penalties are harsh here and it's something that could be looked at by those in power.
But the excuses given by the tourist in this instance still make me laugh and cry at the same time.
As a PS to Jambo (and like you, I've not having a go), you'd better make sure you are wearing your helmet whilst riding a bike if you're on overstay. Nothing like having to produce your passport in those circumstances, eh?
But if it was a Thai g/f or whatever in the UK. They'd be allowed to appeal, stay on for years, cost the tax payer a fortune and then go awol if finally refused. If only the UK were like other countries - the aussies, the dutch etc.
To me its simple, if you're somewhere else, play by the rules!!! There must be more warnings of the dire consequences of overstaying in Thailand, by other farangs on numerous forums, than for just about anywhere else.
On saying that, I'm not in that position yet............
To me its simple, if you're somewhere else, play by the rules!!! There must be more warnings of the dire consequences of overstaying in Thailand, by other farangs on numerous forums, than for just about anywhere else.
On saying that, I'm not in that position yet............
Talk is cheap
points taken lomu
but i have never wore a hemet on a bike in the kingdom i know my limits i am always the passenger if i was the driver it is not visas or imigration that would be my concern it would be the hospital bills
on my first trip to los as a newbie 30 days just isnt enough this is the case of many manyy many people i did do the right thing and go to the imigration in bkk to get an extension this was only for a couple of days over the 30 even they told me it was better/cheaper to setle at the airport but i was there and did the right thing
the next time or 2 as always i extended my trip but still fell inside the 30 days visa
i also had an accident there ( no i wasnt driving a bike) half a dozen broken ribs and my arm screwed back on at the shoulder this did not stop me being able to go to the immigration but as my 4 week break was almost up i realized i was just starting to get back into the swing of it all ended up at bkk airport with 21 days over as i was taken to the box to pay my fine officer giving real stern looks like i was osama bin liner himself a little mai pen rai from my lips and all smiles back
so i decided to the right thing (in my eyes) and get the 12/15 month multi entry immigration o visa
even managed to over stay this twice only by 1 day each time
once leaving from phuket to kl i was told over stay fine 200 baht i said ok not need receipt he said ok took the money didnt go to the imigration booth and no mark in my passport
the last time was leaving los back to the uk on one of those 00.30 flight i thought no problem i will be through immigration before midnight so all would be good but no ba delayed around 7 hours they did call me many hours before the flight to tell me it was delayed so no big deal i wasnt waiting around in the airport anyway back to the immigration at bkk airport they didnt bat an eyelid
so complaicency as become the norm for me and many others ok after this i will not be over the 90 visa 100% sure
but again i keep saying to myself there has do be more to this with the case of the 12 overstayers
maybe the tour opperater has not paid its tea money or a new mafia set up is comming along (it has been named the big visa bus ) or somthing like this
maybe we wont find out the real reason but there as got to be more to it
cheers
jambo
but i have never wore a hemet on a bike in the kingdom i know my limits i am always the passenger if i was the driver it is not visas or imigration that would be my concern it would be the hospital bills
on my first trip to los as a newbie 30 days just isnt enough this is the case of many manyy many people i did do the right thing and go to the imigration in bkk to get an extension this was only for a couple of days over the 30 even they told me it was better/cheaper to setle at the airport but i was there and did the right thing
the next time or 2 as always i extended my trip but still fell inside the 30 days visa
i also had an accident there ( no i wasnt driving a bike) half a dozen broken ribs and my arm screwed back on at the shoulder this did not stop me being able to go to the immigration but as my 4 week break was almost up i realized i was just starting to get back into the swing of it all ended up at bkk airport with 21 days over as i was taken to the box to pay my fine officer giving real stern looks like i was osama bin liner himself a little mai pen rai from my lips and all smiles back
so i decided to the right thing (in my eyes) and get the 12/15 month multi entry immigration o visa
even managed to over stay this twice only by 1 day each time
once leaving from phuket to kl i was told over stay fine 200 baht i said ok not need receipt he said ok took the money didnt go to the imigration booth and no mark in my passport
the last time was leaving los back to the uk on one of those 00.30 flight i thought no problem i will be through immigration before midnight so all would be good but no ba delayed around 7 hours they did call me many hours before the flight to tell me it was delayed so no big deal i wasnt waiting around in the airport anyway back to the immigration at bkk airport they didnt bat an eyelid
so complaicency as become the norm for me and many others ok after this i will not be over the 90 visa 100% sure
but again i keep saying to myself there has do be more to this with the case of the 12 overstayers
maybe the tour opperater has not paid its tea money or a new mafia set up is comming along (it has been named the big visa bus ) or somthing like this
maybe we wont find out the real reason but there as got to be more to it
cheers
jambo
Jambo, that's fair enough. I've been in shared cars down to Ranong whilst I've been on overstay and have always implored the driver not to get pulled over in case we were all asked for our passports. It would only have been me who could have been nicked.
Yes, complacency on my part definitely, but why bother taking the chance when I live here? The UK is not so appealing now after 8 years and I certainly wouldn't expect to be treated any more leniently just because of that. In fact, probably the opposite - I should have known better.
The example of the motorbike was just that, BTW. An indication of how easy it is for the police to ask you to produce your passport after a minor legal infringement.
Sod's law isn't it, that when it does happen you're deeper in the s*** because of the visa situation?
Still, I would tend to agree that there's more to this story than meets the eye. Maybe a disgruntled competitor etc who had wind of some overstayers on that bus.
Yes, complacency on my part definitely, but why bother taking the chance when I live here? The UK is not so appealing now after 8 years and I certainly wouldn't expect to be treated any more leniently just because of that. In fact, probably the opposite - I should have known better.
The example of the motorbike was just that, BTW. An indication of how easy it is for the police to ask you to produce your passport after a minor legal infringement.
Sod's law isn't it, that when it does happen you're deeper in the s*** because of the visa situation?
Still, I would tend to agree that there's more to this story than meets the eye. Maybe a disgruntled competitor etc who had wind of some overstayers on that bus.
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Randy Cornhole
- Rock Star
- Posts: 3701
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:01 pm
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The bottom line is now we know they are doing something, so don't overstay even 1 day! Come on its not too hard is it?
Its not like we have a lot to do everyday (most of us anyway)
I have had one 1 day overstay in 2 years and always go at least 1 week before my visa expires. I book early and confirm twice before i go to give me an out if there are problems.
No worries its simple.
The exception being if you are hospitalised. Then it seems to be the consensus to travel down by local transport and not draw attention to yourself. Nuff said.
Its not like we have a lot to do everyday (most of us anyway)
I have had one 1 day overstay in 2 years and always go at least 1 week before my visa expires. I book early and confirm twice before i go to give me an out if there are problems.
No worries its simple.
The exception being if you are hospitalised. Then it seems to be the consensus to travel down by local transport and not draw attention to yourself. Nuff said.
www.35mmview.com
Good point, did someone shop them? Where there is a bit to be made on the side in LoS one always has to consider it possible.chelsea wrote:It also makes me wonder, when you go on a run, do you have to let the operator know if you have a valid visa or not. Because if you have to do that, my guess is that they may have been a call from one of the operatives on the coach to let the Jobsworth's in the tourist police know that there is a dozen illegals on his bus.
Probably gets paid by the number of collars that they make.
I know if it was me and I had overstayed, there is no way that I would divulge any sort of info like that to a coach operator.
But if you aren't on an overstay you can't be shopped for it, can you?
no no no no no
what would a company benifit from doing this
utarat Payonchart, an emplo yee of Phenpat Co Ltd, told the Gazette from the Ranong courthouse this afternoon that the police had overreacted by incarcerating the visa runners.
“Why did they have to keep them overnight in a cell? These aren’t illegal aliens trying to hide out in the country,â€
chelsea wrote:
It also makes me wonder, when you go on a run, do you have to let the operator know if you have a valid visa or not. Because if you have to do that, my guess is that they may have been a call from one of the operatives on the coach to let the Jobsworth's in the tourist police know that there is a dozen illegals on his bus.
Probably gets paid by the number of collars that they make.
I know if it was me and I had overstayed, there is no way that I would divulge any sort of info like that to a coach operator.
Cheers Cheers Cheers
Good point, did someone shop them? Where there is a bit to be made on the side in LoS one always has to consider it possible.
But if you aren't on an overstay you can't be shopped for it, can you?
what would a company benifit from doing this
utarat Payonchart, an emplo yee of Phenpat Co Ltd, told the Gazette from the Ranong courthouse this afternoon that the police had overreacted by incarcerating the visa runners.
“Why did they have to keep them overnight in a cell? These aren’t illegal aliens trying to hide out in the country,â€
It seems that everyone now knows wher they stand, for ages it has seemed that the overstay doesnt matter, just pay at immigration.
Have to say that i think they have been harshly done to. BUT anyone who overstays now can get no sympathy - the line has been drawn.
So everyone. how many overstay bribes in the next week!?
Have to say that i think they have been harshly done to. BUT anyone who overstays now can get no sympathy - the line has been drawn.
So everyone. how many overstay bribes in the next week!?