He's still here. What's the worst that can happen if he turns himself in? How about if one of his close shaves south of NST results in arrest-where do they take him?

 

Tourist visa expired June 2024.

 

Capn Kay is in a honey trap of sorts, inured to being escorted to the ATM each month and left alone with less than B12k to limp along. Sure, it's elder abuse but he's somewhat aware of it and he's still a bit canny. 

 

Old coot has nothing else going on but says he needs the VA in Manila, while refusing US Embassy assistance. Keep trying to fly him out of Krabi but somehow that debit card is in other hands.

 

Any helpful replies will be shared with the Capn as shock therapy.

OP are you asking for advice or what regarding this story of overstay. 

You posted episode 1 back in Feb. Enough

39 minutes ago, oddgum said:

What's the worst that can happen if he turns himself in?

 

The following link will give you and him all the lowdown you both need, I think:

 

https://www.tratimmigration.com/thailand-visa-overstay-regulations/

 

In short, he'll be in for a 5-year ban if he turns himself in with an overstay of less than 1 year, which will be increased to 10 years if he has overstayed by more than 1 year. He'll be cut absolutely no slack on account of his age.

 

 

Guess he has no desire to leave.  So far, 20k fine, and 3 yr ban, if making it without getting arrested, then 10 yr ban if arrested.

 

Come back & ask again, when you break that 3 yr mark, and 5 yr ban if turning yourself in.

Stay and hope for the best or leave and receive a ban... up to him as they say!

Thai immigration could care less if they guy is a Vietnam Vet.

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.  Next door in Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos, he could live a life, far better than in Bangkok Hilton where he will end up, if he decides to continue living here, sad, but true.

17 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.  Next door in Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos, he could live a life, far better than in Bangkok Hilton where he will end up, if he decides to continue living here, sad, but true.

I don't know where to start with this ill-informed post.

 

But he could simply turn up at an airport, preferably Bangkok, with a ticket out of the country and 20,000 Baht to clear the overstay fine.

On 10/28/2025 at 8:59 PM, CanadaSam said:

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.  Next door in Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos, he could live a life, far better than in Bangkok Hilton where he will end up, if he decides to continue living here, sad, but true.

Thanks. I'm sharing these replies with him to try to get him to act on leaving. He has some wits about him, and funds.  Our small group of expats here got him help and advice prior to June when he was coming up on a year overstay to no avail. 

Someone else controlling ATM card?  

Get a replacement issued without the controller's knowledge.

Off topic post removed

On 10/28/2025 at 3:24 AM, KhunLA said:

Guess he has no desire to leave.  So far, 20k fine, and 3 yr ban, if making it without getting arrested, then 10 yr ban if arrested.

 

Come back & ask again, when you break that 3 yr mark, and 5 yr ban if turning yourself in.

Second best advice given.

 

First is to not get into this situation.  While I respect his Nam service, this situation didn’t happen overnight.  

Where was the concern and plan a month before he became an overstay?

Immigation detention isn’t pretty.  That alone SHOULD be a deterrent.

 

7 minutes ago, Rocky Sullivan said:

Second best advice given.

 

First is to not get into this situation.  While I respect his Nam service, this situation didn’t happen overnight.  

Where was the concern and plan a month before he became an overstay?

Immigation detention isn’t pretty.  That alone SHOULD be a deterrent.

 

I'm 73 and I've got 8 years of active duty service in the US military.  Is that my ticket to overstay?  No - it is not.  As Rocky Sullivan stated, "this situation didn't happen overnight."  And there are also options. Deliberately breaking Thai immigration law is not an option.  Moving to Cambodia or Vietnam to live out his days would have been a better course of action.  As harsh as this sounds, your friend made his bed, now he will have to sleep in it. If you and your friends are really concerned about his welfare, help him turn himself in, help him to obtain the necessary plane trip back to the US, and then assist him in re-establishing himself in Cambodia or Vietnam or even the US.  Staying is not an option.  Eventually he'll be found out.  

Maybe an agent could help...

On 10/28/2025 at 8:59 PM, CanadaSam said:

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.  Next door in Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos, he could live a life, far better than in Bangkok Hilton where he will end up, if he decides to continue living here, sad, but true.

what a crazy answer, 
so ur telling him to leave thailand without going thru immigration an enter another country without legal entry as EVERY land border, they check to make sure u exited legally

2 choices
pay the fine and leave

try and hang on under the radar till  he dies

leaving via the airport, paying the fine, and finding a new spot to stay is a good option.

 

it may also be possible to find an agent that can clear an overstay and provide a Non Imm O plus extension based on retirement.  this would be an expensive option.

On 10/28/2025 at 4:30 PM, oddgum said:

says he needs the VA in Manila

The PI is the nearest place where being a US Vet will get him kinder treatment - also where staying 3 years from entry on a TR Visa is legally possible - and, also where the US Social-Security office for the region is located. 

 

IMO, what he needs is 20K Baht for immigration + a ticket to Manila + enough money to survive there until the next SS-Payment, and a trip to the airport. 

Philippines is a your answer 

7 hours ago, connda said:

I'm 73 and I've got 8 years of active duty service in the US military.  Is that my ticket to overstay?  No - it is not.  As Rocky Sullivan stated, "this situation didn't happen overnight."  And there are also options. Deliberately breaking Thai immigration law is not an option.  Moving to Cambodia or Vietnam to live out his days would have been a better course of action.  As harsh as this sounds, your friend made his bed, now he will have to sleep in it. If you and your friends are really concerned about his welfare, help him turn himself in, help him to obtain the necessary plane trip back to the US, and then assist him in re-establishing himself in Cambodia or Vietnam or even the US.  Staying is not an option.  Eventually he'll be found out.  

 

Why not just pay the 20k at DMK, accept the ban - both inevitable - then fly straight out to Cambodia or Vietnam if he wants to stay in SEA? 

 

Or does immigration insist on a return to home country?

20 hours ago, BusyB said:

Or does immigration insist on a return to home country?

No it does not. 

Point is this thread had correct advice provided in Feb. 

The guy in question is ignoring advice and attempted help from OP. 

The overstay guy has three options. 

1. Get to airport pay 20k fine and fly to USA. 

2. Same as option 1. Except fly to nearby country. USA are not visa exempt for Vietnam and also the validity of his pp comes into question for some countries as they may require 6 month validity. 

3. Do nothing and eventually be caught. 

An agent is wasted suggestion. He is almost skint. 

 

Best left to his own devices. The saying "make your own bed... " Springs to mind. 

Please thank him for his service 

He deserves more assistance 

 

I am under the impression and please correct me dear fellows ,that the Philippines has special assistance for ex US military 

34 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Please thank him for his service 

He deserves more assistance 

 

I am under the impression and please correct me dear fellows ,that the Philippines has special assistance for ex US military 

PI folks will generally be nicer to / respectful of a USA vet - including immigration officials.  I was thinking, here, of his getting tourist-based extensions w/o hassle.

 

There is also a long-term visa, which has special clauses for ex-USA-military - though I don't have the details.  He would still need to prove a certain income and/or money in a special account in the PI for the long-term visa.

On 10/31/2025 at 7:58 PM, Rob Browder said:

He would still need to prove a certain income and/or money in a special account in the PI for the long-term visa.

Clearly you have not read the thread. 

The guy in question is not even in control of own ATM card. 

Is basically skint. 

Living on 12k/month.

Has rejected advice for over a year. 

On 10/28/2025 at 8:59 PM, CanadaSam said:

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.  Next door in Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos, he could live a life, far better than in Bangkok Hilton where he will end up, if he decides to continue living here, sad, but true.

I understand that you are trying to help the old guy but this is possibly the worst advice ever.

I’m guessing that he thinks he has another 10 years to live so he needs to get to the airport rapido ,pay the fine and hope for the best.

On 10/28/2025 at 8:59 PM, CanadaSam said:

Suggest he get himself out of the country asap, using dubious means.

I've read a lot of foolish answers on this forum over the years, but this one ranks right up there as one of the most hare brained, ill-conceived suggestions in a while. 

 

Stick with what you know, and here's a hint, it's NOT anything you do with entry/visa/extension or in this case overstay stuff to Thailand.. 

 

Three thumbs down for your goofball answer👎👎👎

3 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

I've read a lot of foolish answers on this forum over the years, but this one ranks right up there as one of the most hare brained, ill-conceived suggestions in a while. 

 

Stick with what you know, and here's a hint, it's NOT anything you do with entry/visa/extension or in this case overstay stuff to Thailand.. 

 

Three thumbs down for your goofball answer👎👎👎

Yea, continue breaking neighboring countries' immigration laws, to avoid TH;s immigration laws.  Unless he's out and about, and in tourist areas late at night partying, I don't think he has much to worry about.

 

Been here 25 yrs, and been asked once to see my passport, and that was along the Myanmar border by the military.

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Has rejected advice for over a year. 

 

THIS is the key point, along with he being 83 years old, no money to his name, I only FEAR for what could happen to him were he picked up and put in a cell.

 

Yes, my suggestion of getting the F out immediately at all costs using any means is drastic, but it is the cheapest method, and (hopefully) avoids him spending time in jail, which would probably kill the guy.

Post with disguised bad language removed. Cut it out. 

@zzzzz

On 10/28/2025 at 7:20 PM, connda said:

Thai immigration could care less if they guy is a Vietnam Vet.

 

*Couldn't* care less. And why should anyone else care? 

 

The guy could probably work things out if he was so inclined. The Thais are kind and gracious to elderly people, far more than our governments at home are, at any rate.  

On 10/29/2025 at 2:20 PM, Briggsy said:

I don't know where to start with this ill-informed post.

 

But he could simply turn up at an airport, preferably Bangkok, with a ticket out of the country and 20,000 Baht to clear the overstay fine.

Does not sound like having 20,000 baht is cash is a realistic expectation, without help.