Finnish Man Arrested for 10-Year Overstay in Thailand

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Press People

 

A Finnish national living in Thailand has been detained by Chiang Mai Immigration Police after overstaying his visa by an extraordinary 3,844 days, equating to more than a decade. The arrest occurred on December 2nd in San Sai District within Chiang Mai Province, following a tip-off that led authorities directly to his location.

 

The man's long-standing evasion of immigration laws ended when officers verified his overstayed status through the Immigration Bureau's database. He was promptly apprehended and now confronts legal proceedings that will culminate in his deportation back to Finland.

 

Following his arrest, the man conceded to initially entering Thailand on a tourist visa and subsequently neglecting to renew or extend it after its expiration. Over the ensuing years, he adeptly avoided law enforcement to dodge capture, underscoring a significant lapse in compliance with Thai immigration regulations.

 

This arrest is part of a broader initiative spearheaded by the Commander of Immigration Division 5, aimed at clamping down on immigration violations throughout the region. Authorities from Chiang Mai are reinforcing their dedication to upholding the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), ensuring that foreign residents adhere to lawful entry and residency requirements within the Kingdom.

The immediate aftermath of the arrest involves preparations for his deportation, as officials arrange for his return to Finland. Under the Thai legal framework, visa overstay is a serious offence, and deportation is not only a typical consequence but also serves as a stringent reminder of the importance of adhering to immigration laws.

 

For many expatriates and tourists in Thailand, this incident serves as a stark warning about the penalties for flouting visa regulations. An overstay of this magnitude is rare, yet it highlights the potential repercussions for those who choose to sidestep legal requirements. The financial implications are significant as well, with fines for overstaying one's visa that can accumulate rapidly.

 

Indeed, the maximum penalty for overstaying a Thai visa could rise to 20,000 Thai Baht, compounded by the legal process and subsequent deportation. Chiang Mai's increased vigilance in enforcing these rules sends a clear message to foreign nationals: compliance is non-negotiable, and the consequences of non-compliance are severe.

 

As this case progresses to a resolution, it underscores the imperative for all foreign visitors to rigorously follow Thailand's immigration laws. While this man's decade-long evasion of the system is an exception rather than the rule, it serves as a compelling narrative for others to ensure that their stay in the country is both lawful and secure, reported Press People.

 

-- 2024-12-05

 

 

[Celsius]

Amazing value for money visa

[JoePai]

Slipped his mind maybe ?

[NativeBob]

astonishing! 

I've been told that only in BKK few overstayers are being arrested on daily basis. any nationality and ethnicity. 

[Gecko123]

tip off = someone knew. Not necessarily someone with a grudge against foreigner; could be someone jealous or harboring a grudge against foreigner's girlfriend/wife, especially if he was her meal ticket.

 

If I was on overstay or had any irregularities about my visa status, I would keep it secret from absolutely everyone, including my significant other.

 

[G_Money]

One look at him and I can accurately guess how he earned money in Thailand during his 10 years of overstaying.

[Denim]

Man from Helsinki , hesunki.

[Denim]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

all foreign visitors to rigorously follow Thailand's immigration laws.

 

I'm willing to follow the the immigration laws but at 67 not as athletic as I used to be so can I pass on the  rigorously bit ?

[Felton Jarvis]

The latest victim of the Thai government 's obsession with "overstay".

[BigStar]

37 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

tip off = someone knew. Not necessarily someone with a grudge against foreigner; could be someone jealous or harboring a grudge against foreigner's girlfriend/wife, especially if he was her meal ticket.

 

If I was on overstay or had any irregularities about my visa status, I would keep it secret from absolutely everyone, including my significant other.

 

 

The man's long-standing evasion of immigration laws ended when officers verified his overstayed status through the Immigration Bureau's database.

 

Our ANF Thailand Overstay Enforcement authorities have long recommended that Immigration check their database. It's worked!

 

USA needs to contract Thailand IOs to help w/ the overstays and deportations coming--hopefully. 

 

[BigStar]

5 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

The latest victim of the Thai government 's obsession with "overstay".

 

Exactly. It seems they're turning from victimizing all those innocent, harmless Brits and Ozzies to the Eurotrash now.

[Jerry777]

Pretty good deal really. I'm sure a few people where i stay are on the overstay for many many years. if older why not? Pay a small fine and the force some airline to fly you back to where you are from.

[edwinchester]

3 hours ago, JoePai said:

Slipped his mind maybe ?

Yeah can easily happen. Can imagine him saying to himself "my 60 days must be up soon"

[JoePai]

30 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Yeah can easily happen. Can imagine him saying to himself "my 60 days must be up soon"

Then he would never say "my 90 days must be up soon"   😂

[Mr Meeseeks]

Anything over ten years is a pretty good effort. 👏

[VillageIdiot]

Back to "the happiest country in the world" with you.

Just don't forget to pack some warm clothes.

 

[ukrules]

This can not be true, I remember 'Big Joke' making an announcement about all overstayers being cleared from the country and it definitely wasn't 10 years ago.

Could he have been lying to us?

 

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

tip off = someone knew. Not necessarily someone with a grudge against foreigner; could be someone jealous or harboring a grudge against foreigner's girlfriend/wife, especially if he was her meal ticket.

 

If I was on overstay or had any irregularities about my visa status, I would keep it secret from absolutely everyone, including my significant other.

 

Your significant other would know you need a visa to stay... pee them off and bye bye.

Either way she will get to keep everything.

In his case he must've kept her happy or lived a solitary life with little domestic or no travel

[TimBKK]

15 hours ago, Jerry777 said:

Pretty good deal really. I'm sure a few people where i stay are on the overstay for many many years. if older why not? Pay a small fine and the force some airline to fly you back to where you are from.

Not really.  Down to the IDC in BKK until you or someone on your behalf can pay for the return ticket.  

[harryviking]

20 hours ago, Celsius said:

Amazing value for money visa

Lol! But only a "One visit in a lifetime visa"!

[ronster]

Good effort 🥈

[ryxyz]

18 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

tip off = someone knew. Not necessarily someone with a grudge against foreigner; could be someone jealous or harboring a grudge against foreigner's girlfriend/wife, especially if he was her meal ticket.

 

If I was on overstay or had any irregularities about my visa status, I would keep it secret from absolutely everyone, including my significant other.

 

Might not be easy, especially if they're the snooping type like my first and last Thai gfs.

[Scouse123]

17 hours ago, Jerry777 said:

Pretty good deal really. I'm sure a few people where i stay are on the overstay for many many years. if older why not? Pay a small fine and the force some airline to fly you back to where you are from.

 

Nope,

 

They place them in immigration holding, which is not a nice place, and they stay there until they acquire the funds to buy their own ticket home.

 

If they wait for Embassies, it's a very long time after all options such as family etc. have been exhausted.

[RichardColeman]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

following a tip-off that led authorities directly to his location.

LOL, probably just bought a house with his Mrs/new boo and she dobbed him in 

[Classic Ray]

“This arrest is part of a broader initiative spearheaded by the Commander of Immigration Division 5, aimed at clamping down on immigration violations throughout the region.”

 

No, the arrest was as a result of a tipoff, following years of failure to detect his overstay through the cumbersome system of renewals, 90 day reports etc.

[stupidfarang]

19 hours ago, G_Money said:

One look at him and I can accurately guess how he earned money in Thailand during his 10 years of overstaying.

How did he earned his money in Thailand? Please share your insight

[stupidfarang]

Only reason they found him is someone told immigration. Which once again shows how lacking the immigration computer system is in keeping track of expats and tourists. Or it could be a case of the immigration staff being a sleep at their job, so why not drop the 90 day reporting?

[henryford1958]

19 hours ago, Jerry777 said:

Pretty good deal really. I'm sure a few people where i stay are on the overstay for many many years. if older why not? Pay a small fine and the force some airline to fly you back to where you are from.

 

Who pays for the flight home? If it's the airline then it's a cheap way to get back home. Looks like the guy wouldn't have enough cash for a ticket.

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

This can not be true, I remember 'Big Joke' making an announcement about all overstayers being cleared from the country and it definitely wasn't 10 years ago.

Could he have been lying to us?

 

 

Big Joke lied to a lot of people. 😉

 

There were some dumb enough on here to believe he was the next messiah, a crusader against corruption, and a beacon of morality and ethics amongst the vermin.

 

In reality, he was just another grubby little policeman, with his hands in the till. 🤣

[mikeymike100]

"The man's long-standing evasion of immigration laws ended when officers verified his overstayed status through the Immigration Bureau's database. He was promptly apprehended and now confronts legal proceedings that will culminate in his deportation back to Finland"

 

OK so they got him, eventually, but it took 10 years? Why did it take that long?

Surely with all the safeguards immigration have in place, like 90 day reporting, TM30 etc, they should have apprehended him a long time ago? Or am I missing something?....😆