I still don't think the rules go far enough. Most people, if caught will pay the fine (less than £400), and simply move on to somewhere like Cambodia.
Full story: Bangkok Post
Govt to clampdown on visa overstay
Tough new Overstay Rules go before PM
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Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Govt to clampdown on visa overstay
New and tougher penalties for visa overstays have been approved by the Interior Ministry and will now be considered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn revealed the latest development with the stronger measures at a press briefing on Sunday to report on the progress of the bureau's “Good guys in, bad guys out” operation aimed at catching foreigners who overstay their visas.
The nationwide operation, which was launched on Monday and ended Sunday, rounded up 9,265 foreigners. Of the total, 9,038 people were charged with violating the Immigration Act by overstaying their visas, 18 were charged with committing criminal offences and 209 others had committed petty offences.
Most of those found to have overstayed their permitted period were from African countries, India and Bangladesh, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.
He said overstaying a visa was the most common offence because the penalty was weak. An offender is currently fined 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht before being deported but could still be allowed to return to Thailand as long as the person is not barred by immigration officials.
For those who have no money to pay the fine, he said, their time in jail is considered equal to 200 baht a day.
Under the tougher regulations now being considered by Gen Prayut, offenders who turn themselves in would be barred from re-entering Thailand for one year if their overstay period exceeds 90 days.
Full Story: Bangkok Post
Immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn revealed the latest development with the stronger measures at a press briefing on Sunday to report on the progress of the bureau's “Good guys in, bad guys out” operation aimed at catching foreigners who overstay their visas.
The nationwide operation, which was launched on Monday and ended Sunday, rounded up 9,265 foreigners. Of the total, 9,038 people were charged with violating the Immigration Act by overstaying their visas, 18 were charged with committing criminal offences and 209 others had committed petty offences.
Most of those found to have overstayed their permitted period were from African countries, India and Bangladesh, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.
He said overstaying a visa was the most common offence because the penalty was weak. An offender is currently fined 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht before being deported but could still be allowed to return to Thailand as long as the person is not barred by immigration officials.
For those who have no money to pay the fine, he said, their time in jail is considered equal to 200 baht a day.
Under the tougher regulations now being considered by Gen Prayut, offenders who turn themselves in would be barred from re-entering Thailand for one year if their overstay period exceeds 90 days.
Full Story: Bangkok Post
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Govt to clampdown on visa overstay
i hope I can post something without being called stupid by HHTel again. He is very smart.
i was at the imigration (is that how you spell it?) and a young man Had tO Pay 20,000 baht because a differnt intergration office told Hin the wrong imforrmation. i hope THis is not TO stupid enougt for HHTel. i Dont want to bother him.
i was at the imigration (is that how you spell it?) and a young man Had tO Pay 20,000 baht because a differnt intergration office told Hin the wrong imforrmation. i hope THis is not TO stupid enougt for HHTel. i Dont want to bother him.
I really like this forum because there are no personal attacks. All the members contribute in a positive way to my posts.
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Khundon1975
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Re: Govt to clampdown on visa overstay
James I'm not calling you stupid but I think you need to give your spell checker a bloody good slapping, as he sure as hell is. 
As for the chap that you said had to pay Baht 20K, he deserves all he gets, IMHO.
Over staying by 1 or 2 days is understandable, we all get our dates mixed up (or get drunk and forget) from time to time, me included but what he did was taking the piss and one of the reasons that the authorities are clamping down on the problem. That guy must have over stayed by at least 40 days, to get hit by that fine!
It is not up to immigration to give people information, the visa in the passport gives the dates the visa runs for, all he and other over stayers have to do, is read it.
If you are caught before you get to the airport, having overstayed your visa, then you will normally go to jail. If you don't have the fine costs, then Baht 200 a day for equal jail time, will make all over stayers think twice, don't you think.
What these people need to understand, is that, the more people that over stay, cause the authorities to make it more difficult for the honest visitors to get all types of visas.
It is simple, leave on the day your visa ends or expect a fine, or jail, or both.
As for the chap that you said had to pay Baht 20K, he deserves all he gets, IMHO.
Over staying by 1 or 2 days is understandable, we all get our dates mixed up (or get drunk and forget) from time to time, me included but what he did was taking the piss and one of the reasons that the authorities are clamping down on the problem. That guy must have over stayed by at least 40 days, to get hit by that fine!
It is not up to immigration to give people information, the visa in the passport gives the dates the visa runs for, all he and other over stayers have to do, is read it.
If you are caught before you get to the airport, having overstayed your visa, then you will normally go to jail. If you don't have the fine costs, then Baht 200 a day for equal jail time, will make all over stayers think twice, don't you think.
What these people need to understand, is that, the more people that over stay, cause the authorities to make it more difficult for the honest visitors to get all types of visas.
It is simple, leave on the day your visa ends or expect a fine, or jail, or both.
I've lost my mind and I am making no effort to find it.
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Name Taken
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Re: Govt to clampdown on visa overstay
The immigration bureau chief earlier said Interpol had agreed to allow the Royal Thai Police to use the agency's database of international arrest warrants and a memorandum of understanding will be signed by the two sides soon.
Full story: Bangkok Post
Well I think that's certainly a step in the right direction.
Full story: Bangkok Post
Well I think that's certainly a step in the right direction.