One Day Overstay Or Pay For Extension

[XBHT351]

My visa runs out today but I leave tomorrow. Australian on a 2 month Tourist Visa. Should I pay for the extension or just one day overstay at the airport? I can save some money and I have only overstayed twice before for a total of 3 days in the last 7 years. I plan to return in 3 to 6 months as I am a regular visitor (usually 2 to 4 times per year) and I do not want too many hassles getting my next 2 month visa.

[Crossy]

You'll have no problems at the airport, if it's only 1 day there's no charge although you still get a stamp in the PP.

There will be no issues getting a new visa at present, although you never know when the rules will change to 'no visas if you have an overstay stamp'.

It's never wise to overstay, the penalties are quite severe (possibility of 2 years jail) if you get picked up anywhere other than at the airport.

[naka]

You will be considered as a good tourist since you have have "only overstayed twice before" ?

Sorry NO. Better to obey the rules.

Naka.

[PhilHarries]

Naka is correct, we should be model citizens and stay within the rules. That's the theory.

However even taking your past form in overstays into account we are only talking days and it would need an immigration officer going through the mother of all bad hair days to make something of it. It might be a different story if you had a string of overstays on visa exempt stamps. Just present yourself politely and apologise for your oversight and you shouldn't have a problem. If you are going to end up with three overstay stamps in your passport you might want to consider replacing it when you get back home.

Just don't do anything to attract the attentions of the BiB during your overstay day.

[tropo]

My visa runs out today but I leave tomorrow. Australian on a 2 month Tourist Visa. Should I pay for the extension or just one day overstay at the airport? I can save some money and I have only overstayed twice before for a total of 3 days in the last 7 years. I plan to return in 3 to 6 months as I am a regular visitor (usually 2 to 4 times per year) and I do not want too many hassles getting my next 2 month visa.

It's not a difficult choice:

1. Spend an hour or two at an immigration office and pay 1,900 for the privilege.

or

2. Just leave the next day and pay nothing.

It's a no-brainer.

[XBHT351]

Well I am back.....

Thanks for the advice.

Decided to save the 1900Baht and overstay 1 day.

Got to the airport and with a polite 'Wai' and 'Sawadee Krup Sabadi Mai Sorry I overstay 1 day' I got out my wallet and the guy laughed at me. Stamped the overstay and I was not charged. They even pushed me in front of the people being interviewed at the time.

Getting back to Sydney.....ha....a 2 hour full forensic examination of every receipt and scrap of paper, of which I have hundreds, ion scans, body frisk but not strip search. They were convinced I had drugs on me. They asked about my personal life in Thailand, why I overstayed, why I was happy to stay longer after my wait listing for earlier flights fell thru...etc.....

Beer Chang Kwat Neung......!

[Crossy]

Getting back to Sydney.....ha....a 2 hour full forensic examination of every receipt and scrap of paper, of which I have hundreds, ion scans, body frisk but not strip search. They were convinced I had drugs on me. They asked about my personal life in Thailand, why I overstayed, why I was happy to stay longer after my wait listing for earlier flights fell thru...etc.....

Welcome back, glad all was well although I never really doubted it would be.

Just note that it's not only the Thai authorities who are interested in overstays!

[sjaak327]

^ exactly, that's why an overstamp stamp isn't a very good idea.