a few quick searches show the numbers to be much lower
While exact numbers can vary, it's known that thousands of travelers overstay their visas in Thailand each year. The Thai Immigration Bureau has reported that there are often several thousand cases of overstays annually. For instance, in some years, estimates have suggested that the number of overstayers could be in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 or more, but this number can fluctuate based on various factors such as changes in visa policies and global travel trends.
The estimate of 10,000 to 20,000 overstayers in Thailand is a rough figure based on various reports and news articles covering immigration and visa issues over the years. This range reflects general trends rather than precise, up-to-date statistics. For example:
News reports and updates from Thai immigration authorities sometimes mention the number of overstayers in this range.
Immigration-related discussions and travel advisories occasionally provide rough estimates based on available data.