September 3, 2025Sep 3 Hi all, I overstayed in Thailand around 2000 (unclear if I surrendered or was caught after not paying a guesthouse bill). I’ve heard the max ban is 10 years, and since it’s been 20 years, I’m hoping it’s expired. Will this cause airport issues or problems converting to a 1-year visa (e.g., retirement) later? New info: A Thai woman I’m chatting with mentioned new immigration laws. I found https://www.siamese-visa.com/retirement_in_thailand.html, which claims to help with an 800K THB deposit for the 1 year retirement visa (instead of the usual amount) if you can’t afford it. Despite the fact hat I'd be glad to bypass 800K THB deposit with less amount, me and my Thai girlfriend both have income to support ourselves. She called them. We both think this sounds fishy and risky—the site doesn’t look professional. Any thoughts or experiences with old overstays or this service? Thanks!
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Author Sorry about confusion. The webpage https://www.siamese-visa.com claim is following. Isn't it a bit fishy and highly risky? " THE 6th PLAN/OPTION (*RECOMMENDED), If you are neither unable to meet with financial requirements nor the Thai medical insurance, you can contact us directly to get more details about this option. We can also support you in this situation. Thai Retirement Visa No Funds: If any applicants are inconvenient or unable to meet with the financial requirements; Here's the items needed: Your actual passport Three passport photos with white background are required at the first time of application OR Two passport photos are needed for the visa renewal. Your Thai bank account with the mobile banking app registered on your smartphone/tablet and the Thai phone number (Let us know what Thai bank you do have the account with.)"
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Lots of agents can arrange a visa without you having the 800K in the bank, although I've never heard of this company. Wait until you get some feedback before jumping in with them. Can't help with overstay. As you say it should be long expired, but the bureaucracy of removing you from a banned list may not have been completed so that may prove a hurdle. One way to check would be to ask a safe entry company who will check your eligibility (and their price) before accepting you as a customer. Someone will be along with a link to them soon.
September 3, 2025Sep 3 How much is it and can it be done with Chiang Mai address...useful to know anyway.
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Popular Post They didn't start banning people for overstay until the 20th of March 2016. You sure you got banned for overstay?
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Author 1 hour ago, treetops said: RE: "removing you from a banned list may not have been completed" Thank you for the feedback. I also read some such stories, I am not sure if they were actual cases or hypothetical scenarios. I'd love to be on the safe side. I searched Internet for such "safe entry company" with keywords "Thailand Immigration Specialists and Consultants" + keywords "check archived ban lists. There're no immediate law firms claiming to do such checks. Would you recommend me to get in touch with one firm and ask them to support me specifically for this occasion?
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Author 30 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said: They didn't start banning people for overstay until the 20th of March 2016. You sure you got banned for overstay? Thank you for the feedbacks. I am not sure if I got banned. May I ask your opinion for an overstay less than year in duration occurred around 2000? An immigration advisor told my girlfriend who called him on my behalf that the 2016 law is not retroactive and I interpreted as I'd be safe side. I was careless at that time when I overstayed and now I am the opposite. What if I am an old list but still banned through omission of an removal. I hope this is a far fetched idea.
September 3, 2025Sep 3 OP, where would you be located in Thailand? Yes agents can arrange opening bank account + Non O (from visa exempt entry + 12 month extension. Agent depends on where you live. Your overstay details are vague. Doubt that will be a concern. Here is friendly Thai visa for safe entry services. Standard fee is approx 4500baht. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552069237778
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Author Just now, DrJack54 said: OP, where would you be located in Thailand? I will be located in Surat Thani. My female friend, she is located and pretty much settled in ST province, so we've no immediate or mid-term plans to relocate.
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Just now, NitJune said: I will be located in Surat Thani. That narrows the options re agents a lot. Suggest you contact agent such as Thai Visa Centre and discuss options. They are located in Bangkok. You can use Line etc
September 3, 2025Sep 3 Popular Post 45 minutes ago, NitJune said: May I ask your opinion for an overstay less than year in duration occurred around 2000? There was no banning for overstay prior to the date I mentioned, before that you paid the fine and left. That's the reason they went to banning people because the fine was so low that it was almost easier to just overstay and pay on the way out. Now on the rare chance you were arrested for what ever you ran amuck from, went to court, saw a judge, were held in IDC and then deported you MIGHT have been banned (or not). It'd be stamped in your passport when you exited and you'd have been given the paperwork. Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check to see if you can get in before you fly. Check with them www.thaivisaservice.com
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Author 8 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said: Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check to see if you can get in before you fly. Check with them www.thaivisaservice.com Thanks ⇾ Good to find an agent doing a safe entry check.👍
September 4, 2025Sep 4 4 hours ago, NitJune said: problems converting to a 1-year visa (e.g., retirement) A non-O conversion for retirement won't be possible "if you have overstayed": https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Why not apply for the Non-IMM O in your home country, not only will that show whether you're on a Blacklist but it will also help you avoid having to do an in-country conversion and hopefully help in the opening of a Bank account,
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Off topic posts regarding legality or otherwise of agents removed along with reply. Off topic
September 4, 2025Sep 4 41 minutes ago, SamSpade said: Why not apply for the Non-IMM O in your home country,.... Good suggestion. Not clear of OP ongoing plan or if he is 50+ however would 100% need a Non O to open a Thai bank account without agent.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Popular Post 1 hour ago, OJAS said: A non-O conversion for retirement won't be possible "if you have overstayed": https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf I'm pretty sure that means "if you are currently on overstay", not "if you have ever overstayed in your lifetime"
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Popular Post "(unclear if I surrendered or was caught after not paying a guesthouse bill)" How can it be unclear if you surrendered or caught for not paying a bill? Surrendered you paid max 20K thb. Caught for not paying a bill, you either settled the bill with "help" from the police or you were in court.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Popular Post 2 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said: How can it be unclear if you surrendered or caught for not paying a bill? Thinking most folk would have very clear memory of the events. Agree, weird statement from OP..
September 4, 2025Sep 4 contact Grace at thai visa centre explain the situation an ask her advice, rather than anyone here. https://tvc.co.th/
September 4, 2025Sep 4 19 minutes ago, zzzzz said: contact Grace at thai visa centre explain the situation an ask her advice, rather than anyone here. https://tvc.co.th/ You have posted exact same in other threads. Many people ask for advice on AseanNow for good reason. The OP has already been given your suggestion earlier. @ThaiVisaCentre was suggested earlier in the thread by myself. They assist outside of Bangkok eg Phuket, however not sure re Surat Thani.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: You have posted exact same in other threads. Many people ask for advice on AseanNow for good reason. The OP has already been given your suggestion earlier. @ThaiVisaCentre was suggested earlier in the thread by myself. They assist outside of Bangkok eg Phuket, however not sure re Surat Thani. Yes i have, so? They do a good job and as they deal via emails an snail mail they operate all over Thailand dependable, reliable and they dont rip people off
September 4, 2025Sep 4 7 hours ago, NitJune said: Hi all, I overstayed in Thailand around 2000 (unclear if I surrendered or was caught after not paying a guesthouse bill). I’ve heard the max ban is 10 years, and since it’s been 20 years, I’m hoping it’s expired. Will this cause airport issues or problems converting to a 1-year visa (e.g., retirement) later? New info: A Thai woman I’m chatting with mentioned new immigration laws. I found https://www.siamese-visa.com/retirement_in_thailand.html, which claims to help with an 800K THB deposit for the 1 year retirement visa (instead of the usual amount) if you can’t afford it. Despite the fact hat I'd be glad to bypass 800K THB deposit with less amount, me and my Thai girlfriend both have income to support ourselves. She called them. We both think this sounds fishy and risky—the site doesn’t look professional. Any thoughts or experiences with old overstays or this service? Thanks! Black font is difficult to read if reader is in Dark Mode.
September 4, 2025Sep 4 8 hours ago, NitJune said: overstayed in Thailand around 2000 (unclear if I surrendered or was caught after not paying a guesthouse bill). Do you still have your passport from back then? It would be easy to check your overstay and exit stamps. You wouldn't have been banned for an overstay in 2000, as others have pointed out already. But how was the guesthouse issue resolved, amicably or not?
September 4, 2025Sep 4 32 minutes ago, zzzzz said: Yes i have, so? They do a good job and as they deal via emails an snail mail they operate all over Thailand dependable, reliable and they dont rip people off The point is that you make the point again and again and add don't ask "anyone on here" Bit ironic that the advice you offer was provided earlier in the thread with this post..... "Suggest you contact agent such as Thai Visa Centre and discuss options."
September 4, 2025Sep 4 You said surrendered for not paying a hotel bill? You could have been charged for that and. it is possible that you will be denied entry for that as well. Thailand has a good guys in/ bad guys out policy as well. You also could have been banned for that rather than the overstay. You may have problems getting in. You should try the tourist visa route first. you can do the retirement visa later from inside Thailand. Am curious, you broke the laws in Thailand before and was kicked out, now you are trying to enter Thailand again to break the laws again to get a retirement visa?
September 4, 2025Sep 4 Author 11 hours ago, Tod Daniels said: There was no banning for overstay prior to the date I mentioned, before that you paid the fine and left. That's the reason they went to banning people because the fine was so low that it was almost easier to just overstay and pay on the way out. Now on the rare chance you were arrested for what ever you ran amuck from, went to court, saw a judge, were held in IDC and then deported you MIGHT have been banned (or not). It'd be stamped in your passport when you exited and you'd have been g 11 hours ago, Tod Daniels said: Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check iven the paperwork. Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check to see if you can get in before you fly. Check with them www.thaivisaservice.com Thai Visa Service does safe entry and they check I like a safe entry and I appreciate mention of an agent. Thanks
September 4, 2025Sep 4 10 hours ago, OJAS said: A non-O conversion for retirement won't be possible "if you have overstayed": https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf I'm pretty sure that that notice refers to those applying if they are currently overstaying. There isn't a ban on past overstayers applying.
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