South African man arrested in Phuket with 196 days of overstay, claims he had no money to go back to his country

[webfact]

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Phuket –A 30-year-old South African man was arrested in Thalang district with 196 days of overstay. He had recently been attempting to dodge Immigration by moving from Chiang Rai to Phang Nga and then to Phuket. He claimed he had no money to go back to his country.

 

The Phuket Immigration office told the Phuket Express that they were notified from Phang Nga Immigration that an overstaying African man in Phang Nga was hiding in Phuket. They went to a house in Thalang where they found Mr. Richard Reynolds, 30, a South African national.

 

Mr. Reynolds entered Thailand in April 2019 with a NON – B Visa. He extended his visa in Chiang Rai and was allowed to stay until May 27th, 2022. He is now at 196 days of overstay. 

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/12/10/south-african-man-arrested-in-phuket-with-196-days-of-overstay-claims-he-had-no-money-to-go-back-to-his-country/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-12-12

 

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[Thomas KH]

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He claimed he had no money to go back to his country.

Happens I guess when you blow all your money on hookers, beers and things that make life worthwhile !

[malt25]

Why no pointing ? False news ?

[CANSIAM]

Rif Raf, get home and work on your CV.........

[Onerak]

1 hour ago, Thomas KH said:

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

Why would you go to his LinkedIn page to search him. Is he your friend?

He should blame those damned bars where he went to drink a beer and then surrounded by ladies and he spent all his money on some thing called "lady drinks" and one of the lady even wanted to go with him to his place. He though wow what a nice country where the bargirl takes him home and also sleep with him. He fell in love with Thailand. By the time he realized that the bar was in fact a brothel, it was too late and he did not have any money to go back home. 

[KhunLA]

Hmm ... wife supported (no mention of her), or supported his stay be criminal activity ?

 

Bye Bye

 

Well done Imm PoPo ???? Keep up the good work.

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Thomas KH said:

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

 

You must have a lot of time on your hands.

[Thomas KH]

51 minutes ago, Onerak said:

Why would you go to his LinkedIn page to search him. Is he your friend?

I can do what I want. No law or forum rule forbids me from checking his LinkedIn page.

 

52 minutes ago, Onerak said:

He should blame those damned bars where he went to drink a beer and then surrounded by ladies and he spent all his money on some thing called "lady drinks" and one of the lady even wanted to go with him to his place. He though wow what a nice country where the bargirl takes him home and also sleep with him. He fell in love with Thailand. By the time he realized that the bar was in fact a brothel, it was too late and he did not have any money to go back home. 

Why would you share his private escapades or make such brazen assumptions on his private life? Is he your brother? 

[Old Croc]

Another overstayer propping up the Thai economy.

 

 

Immigration went straight to his house. Hiding out doesn't work well if you tell someone your forwarding address.

[Thomas KH]

24 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

You must have a lot of time on your hands.

 

I do... I do. The joys of affluence can't be expressed enough in words.

 

 

[Gerard052]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Happens I guess when you blow all your money on hookers, beers and things that make life worthwhile !

You are right, he got no money to go home and as you say, he has money to spend it on hookers, beer, ect.  No sympathy from me.

[phetphet]

With no money to get home,will he just end up in the Detention Centre? apparently not a nice place to be.

[BananaStrong]

I have a valid visa.  I read all these articles and wonder if I’m now overstaying….lol…..7 straight years no red stamps…..ok I’m ok the smart car won’t get me.   14 years ago I did overstay a week.   In 2023….I’ll go to immigration every day to confirm my status!

[ujayujay]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Hmm ... wife supported (no mention of her), or supported his stay be criminal activity ?

 

Bye Bye

 

Well done Imm PoPo ???? Keep up the good work.

Overstay a Visa is a criminal Case, also in your Country????

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He claimed he had no money to go back to his country.

Apparently he had enough to stay alive for 196 days overtime. I would say that equals an air fare by far.

[NativeBob]

The problem is not about that african fella, but the idea that so-called "overstay" turn from mere 100THB/day fine into hardcore criminal offence many foreigners are not aware of.

As far as I noticed there are no "You gonna rot in IDC if you dare to stay longer in this Kingdom" banners, flyers etc. Meanwhile its says very clearly on Malaysian border they will hang you for a pack of weed (kinda).

However: by common sense overstaying is not THE criminal offence, but unfortunately it is in Thailand. 

 

[khunpa]

If he can move around Thailand and rent a house, he would also be able to find a way to live here on a legal visa.

 

So extremely stupid to not keep his things in order. 

[Mickeymaus]

3 hours ago, Thomas KH said:

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

If it is him he hopefully will update the profile to reflect the new situation. Perhaps like this: I am currently in a detention cell. My new friends are no dogs anymore but roaches. I am waiting for the deportation flight back home paid by the embassy. I will be not busy anymore with building a farm but with surviving in my home country. The title of my new book will be "The Loser". ????

[Lucky Bones]

Why are the officers wearing masks and he has to hold up a piece of paper? No money for mask?

Incredible.????????

[Smokey and the Bandit]

15 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

The problem is not about that african fella, but the idea that so-called "overstay" turn from mere 100THB/day fine into hardcore criminal offence many foreigners are not aware of.

As far as I noticed there are no "You gonna rot in IDC if you dare to stay longer in this Kingdom" banners, flyers etc. Meanwhile its says very clearly on Malaysian border they will hang you for a pack of weed (kinda).

However: by common sense overstaying is not THE criminal offence, but unfortunately it is in Thailand. 

 

Its 500 baht per day. if you are on overstay and make it to the airport, its not a BIG problem, you get fined a maximum of 20, 000 baht and depending on the length of overstay can get banned, but you can get on your flight?

Its only if the police catch you, then its a BIG problem?

[Camelot]

13 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Why are the officers wearing masks and he has to hold up a piece of paper? No money for mask?

Incredible.????????

Maybe the mask is behind the paper hiding his face.

[Lucky Bones]

4 minutes ago, Camelot said:

Maybe the mask is behind the paper hiding his face.

Doubt it. He's got arm tattoos.????????

[Kaopad999]

3 hours ago, Thomas KH said:

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

 

Nice bit of detective work. The RTP should consider hiring you. 

[mikeymike100]

12 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Its 500 baht per day. if you are on overstay and make it to the airport, its not a BIG problem, you get fined a maximum of 20, 000 baht and depending on the length of overstay can get banned, but you can get on your flight?

Its only if the police catch you, then its a BIG problem?

Right, if this guy had made it to the airport and paid 20,000, fine,  he would have been banned for a few years, but at least he would be a free man?

[kwaussie]

Seems to me not a question of if i get caught overstay but when, if you fail to plan then plan to fail.

 

[Ginner]

4 hours ago, Thomas KH said:

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

 

If he game on a Non B he could have easily got a job in a Language school or even a Thai School. He's young enough. They take anyone under 40 weather they can teach or not.

[Thomas KH]

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

Nice bit of detective work. The RTP should consider hiring you. 

Their roving BMWs are linked to my laptop ha ha.

 

Just kidding lol

[RafPinto]

Is it really  so difficult?

Immigration know exactly who is on overstay or not.
They know when you came in and for how long your visa is valid.
They could update their datebase on a daily basis.
Check last address on file and if moved, there are always ways to find out where someone is. Is it by using a bank card, sim card etc.

Or, pay thais a reward to play "snitches" to turn in farangs. They will happy do this for a few thousand baht.

[alex8912]

5 hours ago, Thomas KH said:

Hmmm... not sure if it's him but on his Linkedin, he certainly has a peculiar writing style.

 

"My hobbies include traveling to new places, learning about new cultures, surfing, and camping with his many dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, the company of his family and being near water. Currently, I am busy building a farm withy wife in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I am is also currently working on finishing my book "Habitual Human" - The Updated Ape Man Study."

 

Hair and tattoos on his Linkedin and Instagram pages seem to match the arrest photo. 

 

 

Super creepy.  You obviously saw nothing on his Facebook , Twitter and Insta!  You search his old my space yet?