Crime Crackdown on Koh Phangan: Foreigners Detained for Overstaying Visas

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

In a recent incident on Koh Phangan, Thai tourist police apprehended two foreign nationals for illegal overstays.

 

The first, Schalk Jacobus Botha, a 51-year-old South African, faced charges for overstaying his visa by an astonishing 1,255 days. The second individual, 30-year-old Zaw Ni Tun from Myanmar, overstayed by 510 days.

 

On 9th July 2025, local police received complaints about a foreign man who was causing disturbances near Ban Tai. The individual, using a leg injury as an excuse, allegedly harassed and extorted money from tourists, sometimes resorting to grabbing bags. He was reportedly intoxicated and threatening.

 

Authorities swiftly acted upon the reports, apprehending Mr. Botha. Investigation revealed that his visa had expired on 29th January 2022.

 

Despite multiple overstays in the past, which he managed to resolve by paying fines, Mr. Botha admitted he lacked the funds to renew his visa this time.

 

He was subsequently charged with “being a foreigner in the kingdom with an expired permit” and taken to Koh Phangan police station to face the law.

 

In a separate encounter, police noticed suspicious behaviour from Mr. Zaw Ni Tun, who was seen shirtless and attempting to evade officers.

 

Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

Once detained, he admitted his visa had expired and confessed to living on Koh Phangan without proper documentation for 510 days. With no employment or income, he claimed he couldn't afford to update his papers.

 

The men were charged with overstaying their visas, highlighting ongoing challenges for foreigners living in Thailand without appropriate documentation.

 

The police action underscores the importance of adhering to immigration laws and serves as a stern message to visitors about the consequences of overstaying visas. Cases like these put a spotlight on the necessity for stringent checks and timely renewals to prevent illegal residency.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Naewna 2025-07-10

 

 

[spidermike007]

This is how to keep Thailand safe and boost tourism, go after people who are overstaying their visa.

 

By all means ignore human trafficking, ignored drug smuggling, ignore corrupt policemen, ignore corrupt customs and immigration officials, ignore public and traffic safety, and ignore the dozen issues that were plaguing tourism prior to covid.

 

Just keep on marching backwards into tourism oblivion. 

[AhFarangJa]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

This is how to keep Thailand safe and boost tourism, go after people who are overstaying their visa.

 

By all means ignore human trafficking, ignored drug smuggling, ignore corrupt policemen, ignore corrupt customs and immigration officials, ignore public and traffic safety, and ignore the dozen issues that were plaguing tourism prior to covid.

 

Just keep on marching backwards into tourism oblivion. 

Yes, but Mike, have you not read the other headline, Thailand is the safest place in the World to holiday in.......

[spidermike007]

Just now, AhFarangJa said:

Yes, but Mike, have you not read the other headline, Thailand is the safest place in the World to holiday in.......

I actually do consider it quite safe, in all the time that I've been here I've never had a major incident nor have I ever been attacked or robbed. That says a lot about the place, despite the poor policing, despite a horrific justice system most Thai people manage to behave themselves, it says a lot about who and what they are. 

 

Of course one needs to be careful in major tourist areas, and keep one's nose clean, but I still think those areas are much safer than the majority of America and the majority of Europe. 

[ryandb]

Not particularly a crackdown, is it, would they have caught him had he not been causing a disturbance?

[ujayujay]

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is how to keep Thailand safe and boost tourism, go after people who are overstaying their visa.

 

By all means ignore human trafficking, ignored drug smuggling, ignore corrupt policemen, ignore corrupt customs and immigration officials, ignore public and traffic safety, and ignore the dozen issues that were plaguing tourism prior to covid.

 

Just keep on marching backwards into tourism oblivion. 

So in your country every foreigner can live without a visa for an unlimited time.....great🥳

[ryandb]

Just now, ujayujay said:

So in your country every foreigner can live without a visa for an unlimited time.....great🥳

seems that way despite what I may or may not think

[spidermike007]

1 minute ago, ujayujay said:

So in your country every foreigner can live without a visa for an unlimited time.....great🥳

I'm not saying that they shouldn't be cracking down on overstay. I'm just saying that they could be focused on things that are far more important. And yet they don't. 

[jwest10]

4 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

So in your country every foreigner can live without a visa for an unlimited time.....great🥳

Yes, they rarely deport  them in the so-called UK grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Homburg]

Only 1255 days? Beginner.

[Andycoops]

Hardly detective work as both drew attention to themselves so basically caused their own downfall the idiots.

[Sir Dude]

The South Africa guy at 1255 days is an average effort on the overstay front.

Although, pretty noob job from the Myanmar dude at only 510 days.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The first, Schalk Jacobus Botha, a 51-year-old South African, faced charges for overstaying his visa by an astonishing 1,255 days. The second individual, 30-year-old Zaw Ni Tun from Myanmar, overstayed by 510 days.

Under the radar for sometime...

[Cabradelmar]

Still only a 3 year ban... Then he can come back and try to break his own record.

[Jack Hammer]

46 minutes ago, ryandb said:

Not particularly a crackdown, is it, would they have caught him had he not been causing a disturbance?

They both gave themselves up. Also Mr Botha was a repeat offender 

[TheFishman1]

How does somebody overstay for that long period I mean if I go to the bank they asked to see my passport if you wanna rent a place don’t ask to see your passport I understand how these people get away with staying so long when your passport are entrance or visa has expired TIT

[fulhamster]

So were they still doing 90 day reports ? 

If not, isn't there some kind of mechanism in place where Immigration check such things?

[KhaoHom]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

've never had a major incident nor have I ever been attacked or robbed.

 

I've had a few problems to be sure. Robbed 1x in Pattaya. Change apartment attempt break in another. Asian robbers usually prefer stealth.

 

Had a total misunderstanding in beer bar brought about by attempt theft of b500 by cashier. I got the 500 but was mobbed bc the c nt lost face.

 

Was attempt to pickpocket my shoulder bag hanging off my ass a few weeks ago walking to Sukhumvit MRT on Sukhumvit. Was a Thai. Lol bc I only keep an umbrella and bags for shopping...but I turned round and caught him toying with it

 

I've been hit 2x by motorcycles. Once on footpath and another when moto went opposite side of road.

 

Attempted murder in crosswalk no idea how many times.

 

Numerous near death experiences in minivans, buses as well.

[Mywayboy]

Stay under the radar keep your nose clean & you will enjoy anywhere you live or visit simple. 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

This is how to keep Thailand safe and boost tourism, go after people who are overstaying their visa.

 

By all means ignore human trafficking, ignored drug smuggling, ignore corrupt policemen, ignore corrupt customs and immigration officials, ignore public and traffic safety, and ignore the dozen issues that were plaguing tourism prior to covid.

 

Just keep on marching backwards into tourism oblivion. 

So some can disrespect the law? Interesting view.

[fredwiggy]

6 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

I've had a few problems to be sure. Robbed 1x in Pattaya. Change apartment attempt break in another. Asian robbers usually prefer stealth.

 

Had a total misunderstanding in beer bar brought about by attempt theft of b500 by cashier. I got the 500 but was mobbed bc the c nt lost face.

 

Was attempt to pickpocket my shoulder bag hanging off my ass a few weeks ago walking to Sukhumvit MRT on Sukhumvit. Was a Thai. Lol bc I only keep an umbrella and bags for shopping...but I turned round and caught him toying with it

 

I've been hit 2x by motorcycles. Once on footpath and another when moto went opposite side of road.

 

Attempted murder in crosswalk no idea how many times.

 

Numerous near death experiences in minivans, buses as well.

Many go through life with rose colored glasses and not see what goes on around or close to them. I also think some never watch the daily news, which still only shows a fraction of what goes on here daily. If I stayed in my village I would only see the theft of fruits and vegetables, loud music at 3AM, poisoning of animals, and erratic driving, and not see the rest of what goes on everywhere else, but I do see it on the news, hear it from others, and see it in stats. 

[kimothai]

One guy with 1255 days is nothing.  America has about 18,000,000 of those criminals running around and many are probably well past that number. 

[jippytum]

if he had behaved he could have done another 2550 day. Caught because of his stupid behaviour not good decetive work. 

[Luuk Chaai]

1 hour ago, ujayujay said:

So in your country every foreigner can live without a visa for an unlimited time.....great🥳

Happened  over 10,000,000 times thanx to Sleepy Joe

[KhaoHom]

31 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Many go through life with rose colored glasses and not see what goes on around or close to them. I also think some never watch the daily news, which still only shows a fraction of what goes on here daily. If I stayed in my village I would only see the theft of fruits and vegetables, loud music at 3AM, poisoning of animals, and erratic driving, and not see the rest of what goes on everywhere else, but I do see it on the news, hear it from others, and see it in stats. 

 

What is your point?

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

What is your point?

That was my point.

[KhaoHom]

51 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

How does somebody overstay for that long period I mean if I go to the bank they asked to see my passport if you wanna rent a place don’t ask to see your passport I understand how these people get away with staying so long when your passport are entrance or visa has expired TIT

 

Seems he may have been hustling/ shaking down tourists. Living day to day so 400 a day? Poor dear mom getting calls once a month for support. Probably had 'side business'. Living in some dire situation notell motel having shown particulars on checkin ...then just overstay

[Suetape]

1 hour ago, Cabradelmar said:

Still only a 3 year ban... Then he can come back and try to break his own record.

And while at home get some good solid practice on how to beg on the streets before returning.

[norsurin]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is how to keep Thailand safe and boost tourism, go after people who are overstaying their visa.

 

By all means ignore human trafficking, ignored drug smuggling, ignore corrupt policemen, ignore corrupt customs and immigration officials, ignore public and traffic safety, and ignore the dozen issues that were plaguing tourism prior to covid.

 

Just keep on marching backwards into tourism oblivion. 

Be aware that some of these overstayers have a reason for going under the radar.Criminals on the run etc.

 

[kwilco]

THey need to clean up all the Samui archipelago - there are dozens of foeireigners either over staying or  on illegal visas, working without permits, bribing local police etc etc Ex military are the worst to blame.