By Goongnang Suksawat

Samui Island, Surat Thani – A34-year-old Swedish man was arrested on Samui Island in Surat Thani for 75 days of overstaying his legal visa conditions.

 

Surat Thani Immigration officers told the Phuket Express that recently they have arrested MR.CHRISTOPHER, 34, a Swedish national. He was arrested on the Chaweng Beach Road in front of a department store.

 

He is now at 75 days of overstaying his visa according to police.

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2023/03/16/swedish-man-arrested-on-samui-island-for-75-days-of-overstaying/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2023-03-16

 

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I know an overstay is a bit naughty but does this guy really need to be paraded in front of the press? It's not like he has killed anyone for Christ sake. Just stamp his passport with an exclusion and put him on the next plane and be done with it.

 

Bang him up

2 years should clarify his mind as to extensive overstaying and deter others as well

 

Next.......????

29 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

I know an overstay is a bit naughty but does this guy really need to be paraded in front of the press? It's not like he has killed anyone for Christ sake. Just stamp his passport with an exclusion and put him on the next plane and be done with it.

 

It is not a bit naughty, it is a crime. Don't break the law if you don't want to be in the news.

3 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

It is not a bit naughty, it is a crime. Don't break the law if you don't want to be in the news.

 

I didn't say it wasn't a crime but parading this guy in front of the media is completely OTT.

9 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

39 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

I know an overstay is a bit naughty but does this guy really need to be paraded in front of the press? It's not like he has killed anyone for Christ sake. Just stamp his passport with an exclusion and put him on the next plane and be done with it.

 

It is not a bit naughty, it is a crime. Don't break the law if you don't want to be in the news.

Yeah... But a photo Op with Six police and the ‘criminal’ paraded like a 'serial-killer’ they’ve recently apprehended.

 

Its all rather pathetic and juvenile.

 

... its as if the BiB are are shouting from the roof tops... “Look at us,we’ve done some work!!!!” ......

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

I didn't say it wasn't a crime but parading this guy in front of the media is completely OTT.

Not if it helps other people to change their mind when they would like to overstay.

From the linked Article:

Quote

The arrest followed Surat Thani Immigration officers patrolling to crack down on overstaying foreigners. This can include random passport checks which are legal in Thailand.

 

Does this mean the Police are patrolling checking the passports of foreigners now ???

 

Having police go up to tourists demanding to see their immigration status is not really a good thing for tourism....   The optics are quite appalling really. 

 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Not if it helps other people to change their mind when they would like to overstay.

Oh please, get real. Those on an overstay know that they are breaking the law but it's not going to change their mind.

The crime doesn't fit the punishment. Just put him on a plane discreetly and ban him.

 

 

50 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

Just stamp his passport with an exclusion and put him on the next plane and be done with it.

 

I've always wondered what happens if said person has no funds to purchase a ticket .

Do the Thai police foot the bill for his flight ?

Is it just me or do others wish the Police would check the groups of yobbos on scooters complete with tatts and shaven heads without helmets who ride as though they are untouchable.

I know I sound like a grumpy old man and I don’t care.

8 minutes ago, NE1 said:

I've always wondered what happens if said person has no funds to purchase a ticket .

 

That person is detained in the Immigration Detention Centre indefinitely until a plane ticket is purchased.

 

9 minutes ago, NE1 said:

Do the Thai police foot the bill for his flight ?

 

No. You will be detained in the Immigration Detention Centre indefinitely until someone pays for a plane ticket. The Thai government will not pay.

25 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

The crime doesn't fit the punishment. Just put him on a plane discreetly and ban him.

 

 

That is your opinion, I quite like it. Agree to disagree.

36 minutes ago, NE1 said:

I've always wondered what happens if said person has no funds to purchase a ticket .

Do the Thai police foot the bill for his flight ?

Probably stays in the IDC until he can scrape up the funds or convince the embassy to loan enough for a flight.

I say, "hang him".  The AN lynch mob will be there with their placards ???? "Death Penalty for Overstayers". 

 

 

 

21 minutes ago, aussienam said:

I say, "hang him".  The AN lynch mob will be there with their placards ???? "Death Penalty for Overstayers".

... while chanting... “They [overstayers] give us farangs a bad name” !!!!!  ????

I once overstayed without knowing it... 

 

I had a 5 year visa...  each entry gave me 90 days, at the time I somehow misunderstood and thought that I had a weeks grace to get an extension of stay for another 90 days (1900 baht).

 

Once at Chaengwattana I was shocked to find out I had to pay an overstay fine !!!...  genuine mistake. No issues from Immigration at all, they handled it simply...

 

BUT...  some posters on here would want me deported for the overstay !!! 

 

 

My question to those who want overstayers treated so harshly....  Is overstaying a crime that has victims ?

... i.e. if someone overstays their visa, what are the consequences for innocent others ?

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Chivas said:

Bang him up

2 years should clarify his mind as to extensive overstaying and deter others as well

 

Next.......????

Did ya mum not warm your milk up this morning? 

IDC is the stop before the airport.  Even people with tickets are sometimes kept there for weeks or months.

no Sympathy for that kind of  people  you play  you loose   next ...

Cringeworthy and clownish display of collective narcissism. 

 

The Swede was caught by being in the wrong place at the wrong time while the island's finest men just happened to be in the right place at the right time. 

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Yeah... But a photo Op with Six police and the ‘criminal’ paraded like a 'serial-killer’ they’ve recently apprehended.

 

Its all rather pathetic and juvenile.

 

... its as if the BiB are are shouting from the roof tops... “Look at us,we’ve done some work!!!!” ......

 

 

 

Show off, Power trips.

Actually I don't believe there should be any visas, overstays, or even borders. Just let people live where they like as long as obey laws and do not become a public burden.

 

Of course there should be leniency. Some  dullards on the Elite program ended up with long overstay and bans because they were convinced they had a "5 year visa"  despite notices in the Elite program description and endless emails!

 

Perhaps Mr.Christopher Swede knew and thought he could get away maybe he was heading to the airport in a few days? ????‍♂️.  The risks don't seem to be worth it.

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

My question to those who want overstayers treated so harshly....  Is overstaying a crime that has victims ?

... i.e. if someone overstays their visa, what are the consequences for innocent others ?

It depends if it’s an honest mistake , miscalculation etc. or hiding because of criminal activity… 

16 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

rom the linked Article:

Quote

The arrest followed Surat Thani Immigration officers patrolling to crack down on overstaying foreigners. This can include random passport checks which are legal in Thailand.

 

Does this mean the Police are patrolling checking the passports of foreigners now ???

 

Having police go up to tourists demanding to see their immigration status is not really a good thing for tourism....   The optics are quite appalling really. 

I could say that demanding to see your papers is like 1930s Germany. But then I might be suspended from watching the BBC. Gary Lineker, come over here. We need you.

It turns out he was a turnip all along ????

17 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

It is not a bit naughty, it is a crime. Don't break the law if you don't want to be in the news.

A crime under law maybe but did anyone suffer a loss or harm because of his actions or was anyone placed in a position of potential danger.. … which is what laws are made to protect.

 

but daily they completely ignore driving down the wrong side of the road and driving through red lights which is potentially far worse.

17 hours ago, Chivas said:

Bang him up

2 years should clarify his mind as to extensive overstaying and deter others as well

 

Next.......????

What's the view like from your high moral ground?

17 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

It is not a bit naughty, it is a crime. Don't break the law if you don't want to be in the news.

Jeez, bet you're a wow at parties!

I wish we had the same policy in my country....