Immigration British National Among Arrested in Koh Phangan Crackdown

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

A recent police operation on Koh Phangan has led to the arrest of several foreign nationals, including a British woman for overstaying her visa, amidst a broader crackdown on illegal activities in the area.

 

On 6th June, Thai tourist police arrested Ms. Thea, a 56-year-old British national, after being alerted by neighbours who noticed her prolonged stay at a local accommodation without making public appearances. Authorities discovered she had overstayed her visa by an astonishing 1,880 days.

 

Ms. Thea confessed to living in Thailand illegally after failing to leave once her permit had expired.

In the same sweep, two Myanmar nationals were detained for drug offences.

 

A 16-year-old suspect, Mr. La Min Wai, was found with a methamphetamine pill, which led police to Mr. Mau Ko A Thet, aged 25. The latter was discovered with drugs and illegal ammunition. Both face charges for drug possession, usage, and firearms-related offences.

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

Additionally, police action following local noise complaints resulted in the arrests of Mr. Manuel, a Dutch citizen, and Mr. Ta Tun Sai, from Myanmar, at a local site. Mr. Manuel was charged for employing Mr. Ta in carpentry unlawfully. In turn, Mr. Ta was charged for working outside his permitted profession without notifying the authorities.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-ao has directed law enforcement in significant tourist areas to intensify measures against foreigners involved in illegal activities, aiming to bolster the safety and reputation of Thailand’s tourism industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-06-06

 

 

[JoePai]

overstayed her visa by an astonishing 1,880 days

 

Maybe simply forgot.............. ?    

[billd766]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

overstayed her visa by an astonishing 1,880 days

 

Maybe simply forgot.............. ?    

She simply forgot for over 5 years?

 

Either she is incredibly stupid, and should not be allowed out without being with an adult, or it was deliberate.

 

I can understand 1 or 2 days or even perhaps a week, but 5 years?

 

What money has she been living on for those 5 years?

 

Fine her the maximum, give her 3 months in a Thai jail, deport her back to the UK at her expense and block her from returning to Thailand for life.

[pakchongneil]

That’s all a bit harsh, can’t see how a 56 year old female overstaying her visa is any sort of threat to the Thai tourist industry. They should be looking at Indians and Russians if they are worried about Thailands reputation.

[Denim]

20 hours ago, billd766 said:

What money has she been living on for those 5 years?

 

Not from money working in a Thai only profession I would guess.

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

On 6th June, Thai tourist police arrested Ms. Thea, a 56-year-old British national, after being alerted by neighbours who noticed her prolonged stay at a local accommodation without making public appearances. Authorities discovered she had overstayed her visa by an astonishing 1,880 days.

Good while it lasted... 

[newbee2022]

21 hours ago, JoePai said:

overstayed her visa by an astonishing 1,880 days

 

Maybe simply forgot.............. ?    

Yeah, at that age Alzheimer starts... sometimes 

[mikeymike100]

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Good while it lasted... 

Maybe, but what a way to live, having to look over your shoulder all the time?

[ronster]

Good effort by the British woman but no medal ! 👍

[Kinok Farang]

Poor Lass,her real punishment will be sending her home to that hell-hole that used to be “Great Britain “.

[portisaacozzy]

21 hours ago, billd766 said:

She simply forgot for over 5 years?

 

Either she is incredibly stupid, and should not be allowed out without being with an adult, or it was deliberate.

 

I can understand 1 or 2 days or even perhaps a week, but 5 years?

 

What money has she been living on for those 5 years?

 

Fine her the maximum, give her 3 months in a Thai jail, deport her back to the UK at her expense and block her from returning to Thailand for life.

think of all the money she has put into the Thi economy in those 5 years,want more tourist like that

[wensiensheng]

21 hours ago, billd766 said:

She simply forgot for over 5 years?

 

Either she is incredibly stupid, and should not be allowed out without being with an adult, or it was deliberate.

 

I can understand 1 or 2 days or even perhaps a week, but 5 years?

 

What money has she been living on for those 5 years?

 

Fine her the maximum, give her 3 months in a Thai jail, deport her back to the UK at her expense and block her from returning to Thailand for life.

 

21 hours ago, billd766 said:

She simply forgot for over 5 years?

 

Either she is incredibly stupid, and should not be allowed out without being with an adult, or it was deliberate.

 

I can understand 1 or 2 days or even perhaps a week, but 5 years?

 

What money has she been living on for those 5 years?

 

Fine her the maximum, give her 3 months in a Thai jail, deport her back to the UK at her expense and block her from returning to Thailand for life.

“What money has she been living on for those 5 years?”

 

Perhaps she has savings from being a London based investment banker? Or has rented her Mayfair flat?

 

Your question is silly because the possibilities are endless. 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, portisaacozzy said:

think of all the money she has put into the Thi economy in those 5 years,want more tourist like that

I am legally married with a Thai son and a legal visa extension.

 

Think of all the money that I, and people like me have put into the Thai economy in the last 5 years whilst remaining legal.

[Kinok Farang]

32 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I am legally married with a Thai son and a legal visa extension.

 

Think of all the money that I, and people like me have put into the Thai economy in the last 5 years whilst remaining legal.

What an upstanding individual you are.

[Ubonian Canadian]

3 hours ago, Kinok Farang said:

Poor Lass,her real punishment will be sending her home to that hell-hole that used to be “Great Britain “.

Took the words right out of my yip. She will be shell shocked once she arrives back.

Unfortunately it appears she doesn't have the brains for a realistic survival plan so it will be tough on her back in unjolly ole England.

[crazykopite]

1 hour ago, Ubonian Canadian said:

Took the words right out of my yip. She will be shell shocked once she arrives back.

Unfortunately it appears she doesn't have the brains for a realistic survival plan so it will be tough on her back in unjolly ole England.

She could have a few Bob tucked away a nice property that she has rented out earning a good living I’m sure there are endless amounts of foreigners overstaying their visas this always happens when a new chief arrives on the island she just happened to be unlucky but thats no excuse for any amount of overstay hopefully she has the funds to pay the 20k and book a one way flight home rather being locked up in the detention centre for months until she can raise the funds 

[LennyW]

On 6/6/2025 at 9:19 AM, webfact said:

On 6th June, Thai tourist police arrested Ms. Thea, a 56-year-old British national, after being alerted by neighbours who noticed her prolonged stay at a local accommodation without making public appearances.

I guess it didn't occur to the neighbors to go knock on the door and see if she was okay, the 500 baht bounty for snitching must have been too tempting!

[sambum]

Headlines singling out a Brit again! 

[Magictoad]

7 hours ago, Ubonian Canadian said:

Took the words right out of my yip. She will be shell shocked once she arrives back.

Unfortunately it appears she doesn't have the brains for a realistic survival plan so it will be tough on her back in unjolly ole England.

The disunited kingdom!