Thai Immigration Bureau Intensifies Crackdown on Overstaying Foreigners

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

In their most recent effort to crack down on overstaying foreigners, the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB) delivered a robust display of enforcement.

 

On May 19, a briefing was held to share the results of the Bureau's diligent operations. In attendance were various high-ranking officials, including the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, his deputies, and other members of the force.

 

They presented an in-depth review of the actions taken during the enforcement period, revealing a significant uptick in the number of arrests made.

 

From May 4 to May 13, the IB apprehended a total of 1,272 overstaying foreigners. This number marks a remarkable increase of 62.03% in comparison to previous data.

 

This surge in numbers underscores the effectiveness of the Bureau's concerted efforts in addressing the overstay problem, which has been a point of concern for the Thai authorities for some time.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

During the last enforcement period, spanning October to November of the previous year, a total of 785 cases were recorded. In comparison, the latest figures demonstrate a dramatic increase in the number of successful apprehensions. This surge can be attributed to the Bureau's intensified efforts and strategy adjustment in tackling this persisting issue.

 

The IB has been relentless in its mission to enforce immigration laws and regulations. To deter overstaying, the Bureau has been employing stricter measures and penalties for overstayers. This includes a ban from re-entering Thailand for a certain period, depending on the length of the overstay.

 

The success of this latest enforcement period shows that the IB's strict measures are yielding positive results, giving a clear message to all foreigners residing in Thailand to respect the country's immigration laws and regulations. These actions also demonstrate the Bureau's commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining national security.

 

The Bureau continues to warn foreign nationals in Thailand of the legal consequences of overstaying. It has embarked on a rigorous public information campaign, and urges everyone to make themselves aware of their visa expiration dates and to adhere to the stipulated stay period.

 

Moving forward, the Bureau plans to continue its robust enforcement efforts. It has signaled a commitment to invest in technology, training, and resources to further enhance its capacity to enforce immigration laws and to ensure the integrity of Thailand's borders.

 

Source: Thai Rath, Agencies

 

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[Skipalongcassidy]

"a clear message to all foreigners residing in Thailand to respect the country's immigration laws and regulations."

 

Send the same message to the corrupt Immigration Officers that "sell" visas and you will notice a dramatic lowering of the criminal activity immediately.

[mikebell]

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

These actions also demonstrate the Bureau's commitment to ensuring

more foreigners use agents.

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The success of this latest enforcement period shows that the IB's strict measures are yielding positive results, giving a clear message to all foreigners residing in Thailand to respect the country's immigration laws and regulations. These actions also demonstrate the Bureau's commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining national security.

There's no shame in claiming success through 'strict measures' when the main contributor was probably the end of the 'covid extension' that enabled a lot of foreigners to play hooky.

[stoner]

sweep up the baddies and send them packing. 

[bang saen guy]

13 minutes ago, stoner said:

sweep up the baddies and send them packing. 

Yeah. Don't need tourists anyway

[stoner]

1 minute ago, bang saen guy said:

Yeah. Don't need tourists anyway

i would say over 90 percent of tourists come to thailand have their holiday and go home. this isn't what this article is about. 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

9 minutes ago, bang saen guy said:

Yeah. Don't need tourists anyway

Thailand allows most tourists to stay 'visa exempt' for 60 days, and then it's not difficult to do a border run to legally extend the stay again.  Anyone overstaying is not a tourist!

[Bert got kinky]

33 minutes ago, bang saen guy said:

Yeah. Don't need tourists anyway

You appear to have a firm grasp of the wrong end of the stick.

[Frankie baby]

I was waiting for the breakdown of nationalities, but it never came. Ill assume the Burmese still head the league?

[SuwadeeS]

Always picking on foreigners.

Why not start an real important crack down on traffic offenders?

Stoneage morality.

[shackleton]

Well it's good the Immigration are now Proactive instead of Reactive 

On visa overstayers 

Keep up the good work ????

[AustinRacing]

12 minutes ago, SuwadeeS said:

Always picking on foreigners.

Why not start an real important crack down on traffic offenders?

Stoneage morality.

Nothing wrong with enforcing laws. Their country, their rules. Up to them. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, stoner said:

sweep up the baddies and send them packing. 

Law abiding ex-pats have nothing to worry about.

Those who are staying under the radar are the ones usually up to no good, aided and abetted by Thais in most cases.

[Phuket Pete]

Then stop wasting so much time by picking on the good guys who have been compliant for several years ! -  now making them produce hand drawn maps of where they live, photographs and video’s of them sat on their beds and insisting that the photocopies are the right way up and not sideways. I arrived at 10.30 last week and had to wait 4 hours to renew my Retirement Visa, despite 12 pages of faultless documentation. I watched while Agents walked straight into the office with bundles of passports which somehow required no supporting documentation, but no doubt came with a kickback. There is nothing more morally bankrupt than a corrupt Police Officer. I hope that ‘Big Joke’ has this lot on his clean up list next.

Edited May 20, 2023 by Phuket Pete
Presentation correction

[soalbundy]

I suppose the crackdown includes buying a few more 'smart' BMW's.

[TigerandDog]

5 hours ago, mikebell said:

more foreigners use agents.

the use of agents for visa extensions should be banned. This would get rid of quite a lot of the corruption that Immigration are involved in and also get those that DO NOT meet the requirements to stay long term out of the country.

[cjinchiangrai]

A lot of good points here. There are a few laws that could solve a lot though.

 

1. You must have residence papers to apply for a visa at one of the consulates. 

 

2. Your visa extension must be from the office that matches your drivers license.

 

3. Once you leave after an extension, you need to stay out for thirty days.

 

4. Automatic bank notifications of the monthly bank account balance.

 

5. Produce work permits on demand.

 

Any other ideas?

[Taboo2]

This is not complicated.  Why  is this news?

 

Simple solution.  Come to Thailand, stay for the duration that they give you generously and then leave.  

 

YOU ARE A GUEST IN THIS COUNTRY!  GET USE TO IT.

 

YOU WANT TO STAY LONGER, THERE ARE OTHER VISA OPTIONS, WITH THE BEST BEING THAI ELITE IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.

 

Keep up the pressure Thai Immigration peeps....show them that you are not as stupid as the Americans, who let anyone in to their country.

[Smokey and the Bandit]

26 minutes ago, Phuket Pete said:

Then stop wasting so much time by picking on the good guys who have been compliant for several years ! -  now making them produce hand drawn maps of where they live, photographs and video’s of them sat on their beds and insisting that the photocopies are the right way up and not sideways. I arrived at 10.30 last week and had to wait 4 hours to renew my Retirement Visa, despite 12 pages of faultless documentation. I watched while Agents walked straight into the office with bundles of passports which somehow required no supporting documentation, but no doubt came with a kickback. There is nothing more morally bankrupt than a corrupt Police Officer. I hope that ‘Big Joke’ has this lot on his clean up list next.

Well you could always use an agent?????

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, bang saen guy said:

Yeah. Don't need tourists anyway

Unless they're from China...

[Andrew65]

3 hours ago, stoner said:

i would say over 90 percent of tourists come to thailand have their holiday and go home. this isn't what this article is about. 

 

 

If Thailand were like the UK we could use 'uman rights legislation to stay in the Land of Smile for the rest of our lives, and at least partly at public expense!????

[Plern]

Local migrants aside it's very easy to fix this. Ever day overstay is b1000 or one day in the pokey. 30 days + banned for 2 years, 90 days five years, 180 days + life.

 

No press conferences or fancy BMWs

[Woof999]

Zero problem from me, in fact only praise, for the RTP to strictly enforce their visa laws.

 

I would however love them to also be so sharp in enforcing laws that have a much more immediate and detrimental effect on everyone in Thailand, whether that be falang or local.

 

Drunk drivers. No helmets. Lights not working. Belching black smoke. (The list could go on). These offences are literally deadly and they are so easy to spot.

[AAArdvark]

1 hour ago, Frankie baby said:

I was waiting for the breakdown of nationalities, but it never came. Ill assume the Burmese still head the league?

I would have guessed there was a large contingent of draft dodgers. 

[Andrew65]

2 minutes ago, Plern said:

Local migrants aside it's very easy to fix this. Ever day overstay is b1000 or one day in the pokey. 30 days + banned for 2 years, 90 days five years, 180 days + life.

 

No press conferences or fancy BMWs

Isn't the current 'deal' that the maximum fine for overstay is 20,000, which once thrown in the monkey-house defrays at a rate of 200 Baht per day? 100 days in pokey, and then deported.

[Plern]

1 minute ago, Andrew65 said:

Isn't the current 'deal' that the maximum fine for overstay is 20,000, which once thrown in the monkey-house defrays at a rate of 200 Baht per day? 100 days in pokey, and then deported.

Yes, sounds right...so just pay 20k and go. Good deal for 3 years overstay. ???? I think too good. Moreover, if the chancer doesn't have the 20k then Thailand is stuck feeding the moron. Probably lose money at that rate. Ok, law is about principle but the law broken is in the end civil and not criminal.

 

 

[Andrew65]

2 minutes ago, Plern said:

Yes, sounds right...so just pay 20k and go. Good deal for 3 years overstay. ???? I think too good. Moreover, if the chancer doesn't have the 20k then Thailand is stuck feeding the moron. Probably lose money at that rate. Ok, law is about principle but the law broken is in the end civil and not criminal.

 

 

That was true 10-15 years ago, but a 3 year overstay would now probably be a blacklist of 1, 3, or 5 years? (No more smiles, no more Land of Smile????).  Another thing being that in recent years they're finger-printing people arriving, so just going home and getting a new passport might not work any more?

[Bert got kinky]

1 hour ago, SuwadeeS said:

Always picking on foreigners.

Why not start an real important crack down on traffic offenders?

Stoneage morality.

Yeah, great idea.

Get Immigration to concentrate their efforts on traffic offences. 

 

Would you want your home country to become swamped with illegal over-stayers?

Would you expect the Immigration in your home country to do their job or side track to issuing parking tickets? 

 

Stoneage thinking?

 

[klauskunkel]

While we're on the topic of "Crackdowns" and "Rigorous Enforcement", how is that going with regards to your corrupt officers who facilitated the entry and long-term stay of Chinese criminals? What's the "In-depth Review on Actions Taken" there?