Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Thailand’s Immigration Police have announced a waiver on overstay fines for foreign tourists stranded by severe flooding in eight southern provinces: Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. The unprecedented flooding has left many tourists unable to leave designated areas, particularly in Hat Yai, due to impassable roads, risking daily fines of 500 Baht. The move aims to ease hardships faced by stranded visitors, caught in circumstances beyond their control.

 

Flooding in the south reached a critical level, severely affecting travel logistics. Many tourists found themselves stuck, unable to exit the kingdom within their visa validity. This prompted the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Phanumat Boonlakham, to expediently order the fine waiver per the Immigration Act's emergency provisions. This temporary measure, effective from 20 November to 31 December 2025, applies solely to tourists impacted by the floods.

 

Pol Maj Gen Cherngron Rimphadee, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson, emphasised that this is a compassionate response to an extraordinary situation. Under the directive, only tourists who express the intent to leave but are hindered by the floods benefit from this penalty exemption. Security protocols remain stringent, with thorough checks continuing to ensure compliance and safety across affected regions. Efforts are also underway to assess and rehabilitate impacted immigration offices, ensuring swift service post-flood.

 

As the government handles immediate concerns, rehabilitation of transport networks is paramount to resuming normalcy. Tourists are urged to stay informed and adhere to local advisories until conditions improve. The initiative reflects Thailand's commitment to aiding those trapped in dire circumstances while balancing regulatory obligations, reported Daily News.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Foreign tourists in eight flood-hit southern provinces are exempt from overstay fines.
• The measure applies from 20 November to 31 December 2025 due to severe flooding.
• Security checks remain in place, with priority on restoring impacted services.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily News 2025-11-28

 

 

 

One wonders what documentation the tourists will have to present to avoid overstay fines.  Possibly, multiple copies of passport pages, accommodation bookings, evidence that they were "stranded", such as a legally notarized statutory declaration, letter of confirmation of being "stranded" from local police station and the manager of the accommodation facility, dated photographs of applicant in flooded area, and what else would be reasonable?

43 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

One wonders what documentation the tourists will have to present to avoid overstay fines.  Possibly, multiple copies of passport pages, accommodation bookings, evidence that they were "stranded", such as a legally notarized statutory declaration, letter of confirmation of being "stranded" from local police station and the manager of the accommodation facility, dated photographs of applicant in flooded area, and what else would be reasonable?

Maybe witnesses and proof of waterdamage, rebooked airticket in 5 copies... Immigration likes paperwork and unnecessary things

Like everything else they could have announced this earlier.

 

Oh......how generous

5 hours ago, my friend I said:

Like everything else they could have announced this earlier.

 

How long before the flood does the gentleman wish to wait?

This is 💯0% bullship people.

 

Why grant them overstayers leniency?

 

They can't handle a flood, they can't handle LIFE.  Grow a pair.

 

They broke the rules, kick em out with the Chinese and Indian overstayers.

 

As Cobra Kai said, No Mercy.

 

💯0% in

Wow  that's jolly nice of them...

On 11/28/2025 at 8:14 AM, JimHuaHin said:

One wonders what documentation the tourists will have to present to avoid overstay fines.  Possibly, multiple copies of passport pages, accommodation bookings, evidence that they were "stranded", such as a legally notarized statutory declaration, letter of confirmation of being "stranded" from local police station and the manager of the accommodation facility, dated photographs of applicant in flooded area, and what else would be reasonable?

And a lot more that is unreasonable 🤣😂🤣

10 hours ago, my friend I said:

Like everything else they could have announced this earlier.

 

 

Yep, true, they could have announced it last Christmas. 🤣

On 11/28/2025 at 10:03 AM, webfact said:

The unprecedented flooding has left many tourists unable to leave designated areas, particularly in Hat Yai, due to impassable roads, risking daily fines of 500 Baht. The move aims to ease hardships faced by stranded visitors, caught in circumstances beyond their control.

Such compassion, sorry your holiday was totally screwed up, we won't fine you for not being able to get to the airport

On 11/28/2025 at 3:14 PM, JimHuaHin said:

One wonders what documentation the tourists will have to present to avoid overstay fines.  Possibly, multiple copies of passport pages, accommodation bookings, evidence that they were "stranded", such as a legally notarized statutory declaration, letter of confirmation of being "stranded" from local police station and the manager of the accommodation facility, dated photographs of applicant in flooded area, and what else would be reasonable?

And a partridge in a pear tree.😉

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On 11/29/2025 at 12:30 PM, ujayujay said:

How long before the flood does the gentleman wish to wait?

I met two people who were trying to get to Malaysia because their visas were about to expire.

They wanted to obey the law.

The last thing Songkhla needed was two more people to have to deal with on top of everything else.

 

On 11/29/2025 at 5:01 PM, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Yep, true, they could have announced it last Christmas. 🤣

How about three days earlier? Wouldn't that be ok? Instead of tourists getting in the way trying to obey the law.

 

 

1 hour ago, my friend I said:

How about three days earlier? Wouldn't that be ok? Instead of tourists getting in the way trying to obey the law.

 

 

 

I see so they would not have got in the way if they had been told three days earlier, how does that work?

 

I was here for a three month holiday in 2020 at the height of the Covid lock down, they did a very good job at telling us about free visa extension via the media, I stayed seven months in the end, it was obvious they were going to do the same for this major event.

 

But for some reason some people like to moan at everything no matter what it is. 

 

On 11/28/2025 at 3:14 PM, JimHuaHin said:

One wonders what documentation the tourists will have to present to avoid overstay fines. 

maybe a wet passport? probably not a good idea ... just forget it!