Thai Immigration says JAIL TIME for overstays

[travelerjim]

Thai Immigration now says there will be JAIL TIME for overstays

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/400 ... erstayers/ (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/400387-thai-immigration-introduces-jail-time-for-overstayers/)

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Allegedly tired of overstaying foreigners arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport with a valid air ticket and the maximum fine of 20,000 baht in their hands, the Immigration Department is now arresting and jailing people before permitting them to leave Thailand.

Anybody who has overstayed a valid visa in Thailand beyond a period of six weeks (42 days) is no longer permitted to simply turn up with the cash and an air ticket and leave the country after filling in a few forms and handing over the wedge.

read more..
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/400 ... erstayers/ (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/400387-thai-immigration-introduces-jail-time-for-overstayers/)

tj

[Cees-Holland]

Thanks for this info...

Never planned on overstaying but I was rather scared what the consequences are for over staying 1 or 2 days.
Can happen when counting the 90 or 120 days between arrival and departure. So I left 5 days or so early, in the past. Just to be save.

500Bht/day is not the end of world.

[cdnmatt]

"Section 81 : Any alien who stay in the Kingdom without permission or with
permission expired or revoked shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding
two years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht or both."

I've always loved that about Thailand. The insane prison sentences they can hand out, versus the fines. $600 or 2 years in a Thai prison? How does that equal out to being the same?

Nonetheless, I'll call bullshit, and wait for reports of people arrested. I've never heard of a country actually arresting someone upon departure because they overstayed. Ban them from entering the country again, yes, but arresting them? Never heard of it. What would be the point?

Probably just an innovative way to make up for lost tourism revenue.

[Wesley]

Just another reason not to go anymore, the country is running the tourist to other places. maybe the people want to be left alone. maybe its no longer the land of Smiles

[Dboy]

Just another reason not to go anymore, the country is running the tourist to other places.

Seems to me that if tourists are running to other places then that would make things more pleasant in Thailand.


maybe the people want to be left alone.

That's always been the case. Farang are tolerated. Thais needs the tourist dollar but do not like the western influence that comes with it. Thailand has been struggling with this since Rama IV.


maybe its no longer the land of Smiles

The Thai smile can mean many things.