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Posted

I'm going to fly into Chiang Mai on the 26th to cancel my visa. It's my final day. Then I'll have a multi leg flight from Chiang Mai to DMK and DMK to VTE.

 

The problem is DMK to VTE happens at 5:30 AM on the 27th, and this is not from the same airline. Kiwi emailed me saying this was a "travel hack ticket" and it'll effectively be like two separate flights.

 

Do you think immigration will likely overlook my one day overstay?

 

Chet GPT says it will likely not be overlooked and I'll get an overstay stamp.

 

Quote

Thailand does not overlook overstays, even for one day, and especially not at an international airport like Don Mueang (DMK).

Here’s what you’re dealing with:


Overstaying — Even 1 Day — Is a Legal Violation

  • Penalty: 500 baht per day, up to 20,000 baht max.

  • 1-day overstay = 500 baht fine at the airport

  • Immigration will see it and flag it in their system. There's no such thing as “they might not notice.”

  • You’ll be stamped as having overstayed — it goes into your record.


🤬 Why This Matters

Even if it seems minor:

  • It gets logged into the Thai immigration system.

  • Future visas or re-entry can be impacted.

  • Enough overstays (or even one with bad timing) can trigger a blacklist or border denial later.


What You Should Do

You still have a window to avoid this. You’re in Chiang Mai on the 26th. Your flight out is 5:30 AM on the 27th. That means you’ll technically still be in Thailand past midnight = 1 day overstay.

Your options:


🛂 Option 1: Extend Your Stay 1 Day Legally

Go to Chiang Mai Immigration early on the 26th and request a 1-day extension.

  • This is normal, and they grant it for 1,900 baht.

  • You’ll get a stamp extending your stay until the 27th.

  • No risk, no overstay.

📍 Chiang Mai Immigration Office
Location: Promenada Mall
Hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Mon–Fri
Get there early (before 8:00 AM) to beat the crowd.


💵 Option 2: Accept the 1-day overstay and pay the fine

  • You’ll pay 500 baht at the airport.

  • They’ll stamp “overstay” on your passport.

  • It’s unlikely to cause problems if this is your first time, but it will be on record.


💡 My Advice?

Get the 1-day extension. It’s 1,900 baht instead of 500, but it keeps your record clean — and that can matter later, especially with re-entry or long-stay visas.
Thailand is friendly but strict on immigration. A single 1-day overstay won't get you blacklisted, but you lose your clean sheet.

 

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Posted
22 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

That depends on your definition of "overlooked."

Generally policy at the main airports is that you will not be fined for a 1 day overstay, but you will still receive the overstay stamp in your passport.

 

You might have a last ditch option.  You can apply for an extension at Chiang Mai immigration even though you do not qualify for one.  If they accept your application (they don't have to), they will then give you a stamp that says along the lines of "extension denied, you have 7 days to leave Thailand."  This would prevent you from going into overstay.

 

The flight is scheduled to arrive in DMK at 12:40 AM. So let's say it gets there at 1:00 AM and I get through Immigration for the Vientiane (international) flight around 1:30 to 2:00 AM. You think they would still consider it overstay?

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Posted
29 minutes ago, Hal65 said:

 

The flight is scheduled to arrive in DMK at 12:40 AM. So let's say it gets there at 1:00 AM and I get through Immigration for the Vientiane (international) flight around 1:30 to 2:00 AM. You think they would still consider it overstay?

 

At   What time does the day change to the next day ?

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Posted
47 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

At   What time does the day change to the next day ?

 

Don't get clever. I am obviously asking if they typically have an allowance for around midnight exits.

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Posted
6 minutes ago, Hal65 said:

 

Don't get clever. I am obviously asking if they typically have an allowance for around midnight exits.

 

   No, 12 midnight is the cut off point and its when you go through immigration 

Posted
1 hour ago, Hal65 said:

 

The flight is scheduled to arrive in DMK at 12:40 AM. So let's say it gets there at 1:00 AM and I get through Immigration for the Vientiane (international) flight around 1:30 to 2:00 AM. You think they would still consider it overstay?

No, there is no allowance. 12:01 is the next day.

  • Like 1
Posted
2 hours ago, Hal65 said:

 

The flight is scheduled to arrive in DMK at 12:40 AM. So let's say it gets there at 1:00 AM and I get through Immigration for the Vientiane (international) flight around 1:30 to 2:00 AM. You think they would still consider it overstay?

 

There is some ambiguity about the meaning of 12:40 AM.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12-hour_clock?wprov=sfla1

 

What airline issued you a ticket using the AM/PM system instead of the 24-hour system?

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. — George Bernard Shaw

 

Posted
12 hours ago, Hal65 said:

Don't get clever. I am obviously asking if they typically have an allowance for around midnight exits.

 

There's no such allowance.

 

Typically, in your situation, you'll get a stamp that basically says something like "overstayed for less than 24 hours. Fine waived.". Worst case scenario, they do fine you 500 baht.

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