Foreigners arrested at Phuket airport for visa overstay, illegal working

[snoop1130]

 

Immigration officers at Phuket International Airport have arrested two foreigners in the last 2 days, one for overstay and the other for working as a tour guide.

 

The Phuket News reports that the first arrest was made on Wednesday, November 8, by an investigation team led by Akkhaphon Kaewkiat and officers from the Crime Suppression Investigation Team.

 

A foreigner was detained on an arrest warrant for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide. The profession of tour guide is one of several that can only be carried out by Thai nationals.

 

By Peter Roche

Caption: FILE PHOTO

 

Full story: Phuket GO 2023-11-10

 

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[Celsius]

nevermind 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Celsius

[ukrules]

Interesting, why did they arrest him, the American guy that is?

 

Quote

Meanwhile, a second foreign national was arrested yesterday, November 9, at the immigration checkpoint in the Departures Hall at Phuket airport. The Phuket News reports that a 40 year old American male was detained at around 5.30am, having overstayed his visa by 79 days.

The unnamed man was taken to Sakhu Police Station (near the airport) for legal processing.

 

Either he had no money to pay the fine which I find unlikely or they're just making arrests when really there's no need.

 

Whatever they're doing here seems to be a Phuket thing.

[BarraMarra]

I Wonder where the overstayer in krabi is from. Any reason why his nationality is withheld?

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

I Wonder where the overstayer in krabi is from. Any reason why his nationality is withheld?

Illegal tour guide, not overstayer. Therefore most likely Chinese or Russian.

[Gottfrid]

Another arrest! Seems like they are cutting the rope shorter.

[Old Croc]

This may be more about shoddy/incomplete reporting rather than a new immigration policy about detaining overstayers on the way out.

Apparently, there was an arrest warrant issued for the illegal tour guide. It wouldn't be normal policy to allow a person named in a warrant to just leave without facing charges.

As stated by another poster, the person who overstayed by several months possibly didn't have the funds to pay the fine. Contrary to many here, I believe most people who overstay are not misunderstood Samaritans propping up the economy, but simply lack the funds to pay for extensions, a new entry or a fine. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Old Croc

[Bundooman]

The first guy was described as a foreigner.

The second guy was described as an American.

Makes you wonder at the nationality of guy No. 1. Russian or Chinese?

 

[brianthainess]

No sympathy from me, overstayers just make it harder for us legit foreigners.  

[tomazbodner]

17 hours ago, ukrules said:

Interesting, why did they arrest him, the American guy that is?

 

 

Either he had no money to pay the fine which I find unlikely or they're just making arrests when really there's no need.

 

Whatever they're doing here seems to be a Phuket thing.

Not necessarily about money. They could have simply checked him before he reached immigration point to give heftier fines.

 

Sadao border crossing with Malaysia used to do that back in the day. They put up a police checkpoint just before border crossing and check everyone's documents. Anyone found on overstay would be arrested there. Maybe that idea is back.

[ChaiyaTH]

Normally on International departures the check-in desk will already check if you are on overstay. When you are in for example Bangkok, they then give you this card thing so that you are directed to the overstay desk desk + pay + leave. So that american must been very unlucky or Phuket is doing this different somehow.

Edited November 11, 2023 by ChaiyaTH

[connda]

If they are at the airport and leaving the country, then why tie up resources to arrest them.  Mark their passports "persona non grata" and let them go.

[DJ54]

Maybe Imm. read about the “Show and Go” loop and decided to tighten the loop…. I wouldn’t want to be in the position of seeing how lucky I am on any certain day at the IO desk.

 

IO mostly nice guys but have a job to do. Last time I flew in from Seoul I asked who I thought was a security gauard which way to arrivals. He said hop in the buggy and drove to arrivals IO… asked my address which hadn’t changed in 8 years. Out in 5 minutes…