Photo courtesy of Phuket Airport Immigration via The Phuket News

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

A 21 year old Uzbek national found himself in hot water after being arrested at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by six days.

 

The arrest took place on Wednesday morning, January 29 at around 10.30am, as immigration officers and local police swooped in on the suspect at the international passenger terminal. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkaraphon Kaewkiattiyot of the Suppression Investigation Unit (ChP.3), under the directive of Pol. Col. Atisak Panya, Superintendent of the Immigration Division 2.

 

According to a brief report released by Phuket Airport Immigration, the suspect—whose name was not disclosed—was taken into custody and immediately transferred to Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings.

 

Thailand enforces strict immigration laws, with even minor visa overstays carrying penalties ranging from fines to potential blacklisting or deportation. Visitors caught overstaying for less than 90 days typically face a fine of 500 baht per day but failure to pay can result in detention.

 

 

Police continue to ramp up enforcement at major airports and border checkpoints, keeping a close watch on foreigners violating visa conditions, reported The Phuket News.

 

With increased scrutiny on overstayers, this arrest serves as a stark reminder that even a few extra days in paradise can land you in serious legal trouble.

 

Travellers are advised to check their visa status carefully and ensure timely renewals or extensions to avoid facing similar consequences.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-31

 

 

think we are missing some key information here .

Was buddy visiting the airport for <deleted>s and giggles or was he on the way out where he would have just paid the 3k fine and been done with it?

Why did the police feel the need to swoop? 

 

Why was it an operation?  Was buddy under surveillance for some other infractions?

Was he filmed taking a leak inside?

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

as immigration officers and local police swooped in on the suspect at the international passenger terminal.

 

A whole article of waffle when the guy was probably only caught because he was leaving the country.

Nobody had to 'swoop' at all.

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

A whole article of waffle when the guy was probably only caught because he was leaving the country.

Nobody had to 'swoop' at all.

The odd thing is you would expect a 3000 baht fine, passport stamp then a cheery wave goodbye.  Maybe we live in strange times.

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Visitors caught overstaying for less than 90 days typically face a fine of 500 baht per day but failure to pay can result in detention.

Since when did the maximum amount reach 45k?

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Since when did the maximum amount reach 45k?

I believe the maximum is still 20k.  The article failed to mention that.

Was he leaving? if so no need for swooping. Not enough information in the OP.

8 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

A whole article of waffle when the guy was probably only caught because he was leaving the country.

Nobody had to 'swoop' at all.

Swoop, there it is.

Bloke on the far left looks out of place.

6 day overstay and portrayed as a threat to the country.

Weird report , must be more to this.

11 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

A whole article of waffle when the guy was probably only caught because he was leaving the country.

Nobody had to 'swoop' at all.

 

Yes, I have been commenting on this kind of activity for a couple of years now.

I believe they wait for people to check in, then they arrest them.

This has not been the policy at all elsewhere in the country.

This is a local Phuket thing and it's been going on for years now.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Weird report , must be more to this.

 

They're arresting people attempting to leave the country - my guess is they are informed by airport staff and intercepted before they make it to the immigration booth.

If they are arrested at the immigration booth then that would be much worse - I don't believe this is the case though. Just a hunch.

 

44 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Yes, I have been commenting on this kind of activity for a couple of years now.

I believe they wait for people to check in, then they arrest them.

This has not been the policy at all elsewhere in the country.

This is a local Phuket thing and it's been going on for years now.

Seems like it.  When I paid for 4 days of overstay at Suvarnabhumi the immigration officer, a young woman, was pleasant and all smiles.  It probably helped that I had the money out before hand.

12 hours ago, Upnotover said:

The odd thing is you would expect a 3000 baht fine, passport stamp then a cheery wave goodbye.  Maybe we live in strange times.

 

    Could be that he didn't have 3000 Baht ?

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    Could be that he didn't have 3000 Baht ?

Could be, shame Puntid Tantivangphaisal didn't find out for a complete report.

A six day overstay?  Hardly anything to swoop over.  Now if he didn't have the 3,000 baht to pay the fine that could possibly be a problem.  

What are they hoping to achieve arresting him over 6 days, so now what if he doesn't have the money. Just stick him on the plane stamp his passport and dont come back, all over 3000 baht.....? Bunch of Drama Queens, 

"""What are they hoping to achieve arresting him over 6 days....""".

( HINT - FINE MONEY )

 

The questions NOT answered,

1) Was he getting on

a INTERNATIONAL or DOMESTIC flight?

 

WAS / IS it:

'Swooped and arrested' if domestic flight - details to follow.

OR

'Swooped',  fined and passport stamped overstay, booted out,  if a international flight.

 

2) Overall "something" seems missing.

Who writes this BS?

8 minutes ago, Plan B said:

Who writes this BS?

The author's name is there?  Who doesn't read this...?

7 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Could be that he didn't have 3000 Baht ?

 

Could be, yes. But why are we always getting this kind of report from Phuket airport, not from one of the Bangkok airports? That's quite fishy!

 

Looks more like immigration in Phuket tries very hard to make their achievements look bigger by arresting those overstayers at the airport who were on their way out anyway. And should have been dealt with by just fining them and sending them on their way.

4 minutes ago, Caldera said:

But why are we always getting this kind of report from Phuket airport, not from one of the Bangkok airports? That's quite fishy!

 

Yes it is - the law seems to be applied differently down there.

 

They're making it up as they go aren't they?

 

In the US, the guy would've been shamed and banned for "blackface". 🤣

This only seems to happen at Phuket Airport.

 

If I had an overstay (I don't), I guarantee I would not be leaving via Phuket airport.

17 hours ago, Plan B said:

Who writes this BS?

 

AI  ?

On 1/31/2025 at 4:45 PM, madone said:

think we are missing some key information here .

Was buddy visiting the airport for <deleted>s and giggles or was he on the way out where he would have just paid the 3k fine and been done with it?

Why did the police feel the need to swoop? 

 

Why was it an operation?  Was buddy under surveillance for some other infractions?

Needed photo op.

17 hours ago, ukrules said:

They're making it up as they go aren't they?

Every time there is a new boss, anywhere in Thailand.

On 1/31/2025 at 9:44 PM, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Bloke on the far left looks out of place.

 

Undercover officer...