Chiang Mai Police Nab British National for Visa Overstay

Nabbed!

A lot of words and moralising pap to say nothing. How long was the overstay?

How in the world was he discovered? It's certainly easy enough to not to put yourself in a position to have your immigration status scrutinized. I would imagine there's thousands out there in overstay -- probably many old codgers here for decades. Just what circumstances would bring your situation to the attention of Immigration, if you're not actively trying to open a bank account, renew a drivers license, etc -- but just laying back and enjoying retirement......

I expect that we will see a few more of these stories as the revised visa regulations are implemented. Anyone with some semblance of intelligence can see the attempted manipulation with the use of generalized statements like "Experts note that the case underscores ongoing efforts by Thai immigration to tighten control over visa regulations. " Who are these experts? The government has not released the data to support its claim. If someone is going to work without authorization or overstay, they will do it whether they are in Thailand on a 30 day or 60 day visa. Looks to me like some people seem to be sore because of the loss of their lucrative visa processing services.

4 hours ago, JimGant said:

How in the world was he discovered...

"a public tip-off about an illegal foreign resident".

48 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Anyone with some semblance of intelligence can see the attempted manipulation with the use of generalized statements

Attempted manipulation of what?

5 hours ago, JimGant said:

How in the world was he discovered?

Immigration don't have their fighter jets yet, so was probably one of their trickedout BMWs with body-odor radar sensing.

41 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Attempted manipulation of what?

Of the simpleminded.

11 hours ago, JimGant said:

How in the world was he discovered? It's certainly easy enough to not to put yourself in a position to have your immigration status scrutinized. I would imagine there's thousands out there in overstay -- probably many old codgers here for decades. Just what circumstances would bring your situation to the attention of Immigration, if you're not actively trying to open a bank account, renew a drivers license, etc -- but just laying back and enjoying retirement......

Well immigration records could soon flag anybody on overstay who has not left the country. And there was a case of someone being flagged using AI as he was spotted wandering about on surveillance cameras.

The Grand sum of how many days was that? What a waste of time and effort,

Crime busting at it's finest, I must say.

Well done Imm. You're a guest, act like it. How many days is irrelevant.

Deport 'em all

Cry about illegal aliens in home country ..... but

Chiang Mai is like a nazi city if it comes to police and immigration. It is seriously the worst place you could be in the entire country, same with their pathetic controls over nightlife since 2014. Happy I moved on from that place years ago.

Just so you know, if the guy had 50-100K baht, he would been let go and could stay for as long he wants, with a yearly contribution. Down south it's just 3-5K a month while also being able to work. Irony is that for agent yearly visa's BKK remains the best, while the core government is there.

Message to this guy, and to all of the many other foreigners on overstay, follow the rules. If you don't there will always be a chance that you will be picked up and thereafter have a permanent place on police records. Further, you are not exactly helping those of us who obey the rules, and you are ensuring that controls in Thailand will become tougher and tougher.

No one should stay in the Kingdom longer than their visa permits.

Too bad for the geezer but them's the rules.

💯%

Lots of people will get grassed on by locals or anyone who happens to take umbridge about anything to do with you. Many legit folks, like many here or myself, have probably been reported and have had immigration status checked without even knowing it... but nothing happens because your papers are in order.

10 hours ago, Packer said:

Immigration don't have their fighter jets yet, so was probably one of their trickedout BMWs with body-odor radar sensing.

That would work in Pattaya

Agree with some of the comments already made

Why would someone not get the proper visa to stay rather than waiting and looking over their shoulder for that tap or knock on their door

Unless you are broke don't live in fear of getting caught

You are supposed to enjoy your stay in Thailand

Pertinent facts missing from the story: When did he enter? How long has he overstayed? Why is it so hard to write a simple thorough story that serves the public interest?

3 hours ago, shackleton said:

Agree with some of the comments already made

Why would someone not get the proper visa to stay rather than waiting and looking over their shoulder for that tap or knock on their door

Unless you are broke don't live in fear of getting caught

You are supposed to enjoy your stay in Thailand

There is an epidemic level lack of common sense in some people.

20 hours ago, JimGant said:

How in the world was he discovered? It's certainly easy enough to not to put yourself in a position to have your immigration status scrutinized. I would imagine there's thousands out there in overstay -- probably many old codgers here for decades. Just what circumstances would bring your situation to the attention of Immigration, if you're not actively trying to open a bank account, renew a drivers license, etc -- but just laying back and enjoying retirement......

How could this be worth the stress and uncertainty?

Would it not be better to just follow the rules, which are not difficult.

21 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

A lot of words and moralising pap to say nothing. How long was the overstay?

Why do you want to know? Does it matter?

I'm surprised at how many of the "send 'em home" guys posting here have dissed ICE back home for doing the exact same thing.

Well, not really surprised.

17 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"a public tip-off about an illegal foreign resident".

Changed bar girl for new one. Grassed up by old one. That’s usually the norm in Thailand. 🤣

I have always said if I wanted to stay in Thailand or many other places for long periods of time I would do the same. Just pay the find and get blacklisted when I leave. And with all the nonsense you have to go through and money paid to stay a year. It really just makes sense.

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Why do you want to know? Does it matter?

I'm a curious man. The length of the overstay dictates how seriously the Thai government punishes the offense. It could be as little as a 500 baht fine.