Another Overstay Story

[pezbkk]

This is a somewhat familiar story on this forum.

A little history to being with - I had a Thai business partner - a 56 year old Thai woman who I though was 100% honest - think again. Last year, 2006, I had congestive heart failure and was hospitalised 1 day before my visa expired. I told her about this and she said she would take care of it. The long and short of the stiry was that she didn't and them kept my passport as insurance that I would remain here and do as she wished. Of course I did not have that much of a choice as she had the sole signing rights for the company cheque accounts and would be my only source on income. As I said, I trusted this woman and have known her for a number of years. After months of pleasing I finally had had enough. I managed to get my passport back by rifling through her handbag when she was in the bathroom - wrong? Who cares?

At this stage I had overstayed 240 days. 20,000 baht fine - I knew that thanks to this website. Because of this woman I had been forced to work with only a meager pittance for payment - not enough to save money to pay a fine and get out of the country. Suddenly a few other things were revealed to me. Another Thai woman (ex-Thai army general) had also been ripped off by my business partner (ex) and she took pity on me. She lent me the money go to the border and pay the fine. Great I thought but after 269 days overstay, would they let me back in the country. I went to Kap Choeng as she suggested and was taken into a little office where an extremely pleasant immigration officer took my (her) 20,000 baht and then gave me advice on going out a getting a tourist visa next time so I could stay longer. He then put the overstay stamp in my passort. When I looked for it later it took me a while to find it. It was hidden among extension stamps from 2002. The next part cost me 1,100 baht for the Cambodian visa and an extra 300 baht so I didn't have to go into Cambodia. Even managed to get cigarettes at a reasonable rate.

Hesitantly I approached the immgration office - no questions asked - got a 30 day VOA and here I am back in Bangkok.

I am sure I will get all kinds of comments here. Yes, I know it was my fault and I cannot blame anyone else so don't go there please. I know I have been extremely luck. Bad things do happen to good people some times.

However, my question is this. On Monday evening I have to go to Phnom Penh on semi-official business at the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. On Thursday I will return to Bangkok and I am a little worried that I might not get a 30 day VOA. I have an onward ticket - Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur (dated September 1st) and KL to Bangkok (open return). It will take me about 3 weeks after returning to Bangkok from Cambodia before I am packed up and ready to move to KL to commence my new job.

Any suggestions or ideas?

[Maestro]

I seem to remember a post by a member saying that in his case the overstay period was counted as part of the maximum allowed 90 days visa-exempt stay in Thailand within 6 months, but it seems that an exception was made in your case with the first visa-exempt entry stamp you have already been given.

Phnom Penh is reportedly an awful place to apply for a tourist visa but in your case I would take no chances and make this application. If it is refused, and if on your return to Bangkok (are you flying?) the Immigration officer considers you unworthy of a new 30-day visa exempt stamp you will probably be given 7 days. As you need longer to pack up for your relocation to Malaysia, it will at least give you the time to go to another, friendlier consulate for a tourist visa.

Best wishes!

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Maestro

[visarunner]

Any day of overstay is not counted into your 90days allowance as you "paid to stay".

PP in Cambodia is one of the worst places to apply for a Tourist Visa, but considering that you never had a Visa from there they might issue one Visa.

In case not you should be able to get another 30days visa exempt stamp at airport upon your entry.

Good luck

[backflip]

Why is this an "overstay story"? Since you had a heart problem, this could be a "health-related story". However, since the problem began with your biz partner, it really seems that this is a "business/investment story". Please keep the scams, problems, deceptions, and annoyances in their proper categories.

[ercorn]

Why is this an "overstay story"? Since you had a heart problem, this could be a "health-related story". However, since the problem began with your biz partner, it really seems that this is a "business/investment story". Please keep the scams, problems, deceptions, and annoyances in their proper categories.

I think if you read what the op says you will realise it is an overstay story and if it was put in the business/investment or health catagory you would winge that it should be in the visa catagory.