Deportation

[British Consular Team]

We had a question a while back about deportation processes. Here's some info from Paint, one of our deportation leads: 

 

Deportation is the final stage for British Nationals arrested for overstaying their visa. The time a deportation takes can be lengthy depending on the complexity of the situation - there are many ways it can be delayed. Our team at the Embassy try to visit the detention centre (IDC) twice a week to help facilitate the process. 

 

That said, all detainees have to wait a minimum of approximately two weeks in the IDC whilst the Thai authorities complete their formalities before giving the green light for the deportation to go ahead. They also need to pay for a flight ticket and immigration transportation fee. The total cost is around 550-650 GBP.  If they don't have a valid passport they also need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. On their travel date, they are accompanied by an immigration officer to the airport until their boarding time. Consular officers may help particularly vulnerable detainees at the airport too. And pre-COVID it was not that unusual for Consular staff to find themselves on the same plane to the UK. 

 

At any given time we will have on average 5 overstayers in IDC, so this is a big focus for the Consular team at the Embassy. Conditions can be harsh so we put time into our relationship with Thai immigration authorities and work hard with them to ensure that British detainees are processed as quickly as possible. As a result the time the process takes has now been cut from up to 7 weeks to a fortnight. 

 

 

 

[blackcab]

5 minutes ago, British Consular Team said:

As a result the time the process takes has now been cut from up to 7 weeks to a fortnight. 

 

Thank you on behalf of all those British citizens who have, and who will, benefit from the reduction in the time they will be held in custody.

 

I'm sure other members will be along soon to ask deportation and Immigration Detention Centre related questions.

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Really useful, thanks for sharing. 

 

Have there been occasions where a detainee has been unable to pay for their return flight?

 

If so, what happens then?

[Dagfinnur Traustason]

Sounds amazing! Wonder if it will be the reality, or just another dream scenario.

[Satcommlee]

Many of whom are in there after being advised by the embassy to turn themselves in at the immigration office rather than turn up at the airport with 20K

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, Satcommlee said:

Many of whom are in there after being advised by the embassy to turn themselves in at the immigration office rather than turn up at the airport with 20K

 

How many? and how are you privy the the specific advice IDC detainees received from the British Government ???

 

Make stuff up much to add weight to the chip on your shoulder ?

[British Consular Team]

1 hour ago, Satcommlee said:

Many of whom are in there after being advised by the embassy to turn themselves in at the immigration office rather than turn up at the airport with 20K

 

Interesting point. We never advise people to do this. We only explain the options they have and make sure they have enough information to make their own decision. This approach is central to our Consular work. 

[poohy]

1 hour ago, Satcommlee said:

Many of whom are in there after being advised by the embassy to turn themselves in at the immigration office rather than turn up at the airport with 20K

I thought as long as you were not caught prior to getting to airport with a valid outbound ticket this was acceptable although you were obviously  banned

Is this not an option now then

[BKKBike09]

9 minutes ago, British Consular Team said:

 

Interesting point. We never advise people to do this. We only explain the options they have and make sure they have enough information to make their own decision. This approach is central to our Consular work. 

I hope that in explaining those options it is made abundantly clear that IDC is absolutely the worst place in Thailand to be incarcerated. Saying that "conditions can be harsh" is akin to saying "if you drop a large rock on your bare foot it might hurt".

[Beachcomber]

6 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Have there been occasions where a detainee has been unable to pay for their return flight?

 

If so, what happens then?

What does happen when a detainee does not have the money for a flight ?

 

 

[British Consular Team]

7 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Really useful, thanks for sharing. 

 

Have there been occasions where a detainee has been unable to pay for their return flight?

 

If so, what happens then?

 

Good question. We'll come back on it. 

[blackcab]

Could you also explain what would happen if a deportee was not fit to fly and would never be fit to fly?

 

What are the options for a British Citizen in these very difficult circumstances?

[CharlieH]

I am both surprised and appreciative that the British Consular Team has a voice here and is using it to benefit and support Thai Visa members.

 

Thank you !

[ChipButty]

On 11/9/2020 at 5:07 PM, Beachcomber said:

What does happen when a detainee does not have the money for a flight ?

 

 

Your stuck in there people have been in there for years, Didnt they used to get paid 200 baht per day? 

[blackcab]

Posts have been removed. This topic is not here to enable people to cast judgement on those who for whatever reason find themselves in IDC.

 

Instead it is a factual response generously given by those with first hand experience.

[British Consular Team]

On 11/9/2020 at 5:35 PM, British Consular Team said:

 

Good question. We'll come back on it. 

 

Unfortunately, British Nationals who are detained in IDC often cannot afford their deportation flight back to the UK. You can find out more about what happens next here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-assistance-abroad/financial-assistance-abroad#returning-to-the-uk-emergency-loans-for-repatriation