Overstay

[thaisail]

I am clearing into Thailand by sailboat today and one of my passengers has a question. He came to Thailand on a single entry tourist visa and since he sailed with me to Malaysia and back to Phuket, he has used his one entry when he arrived from Italy. The immigration officer told me that he could now get only 28 days to stay in Thailand. However, his return flight is on March 29th. Since we clear in today, he will get a stamp to stay only until March 23. This means that he will have a 6 day overstay. Had he stayed in Thailand he would have gotten a 30 day extension on his trourist visa and been able to leave Thailand before his visa ran out. My question is "Can he get in trouble for a 6 day overstay?" He knows that he will have to pay 500 baht per day for his overstay and he has no problem with that but he doesn't want problems with Immigration when he returns to Thailand next season. "Does he have to make another visa run?"

[Guest]

Its advisable to do another visa run. However, right now, paying the fine is not a big deal. But no-one knows if immigration will get awkward about past overstays in the future (if you follow me).

[lopburi3]

Yes - he could go to jail if he overstays his permitted entry. Have him visit Immigration prior to expiration and request a 7 day extension of stay. It will cost 1,900 baht, a TM.7 form and a 4x6cm current photo. With the proof of outbound ticket the extension will be likely be made. If not he should make another border run to obtain a new 30 day entry. Overstay will cost the 500 baht per day plus a stamp in his passport to advise all other countries that he overstayed (at the minimum). If stopped on overstay he could spend a few days in jail and have a court record.

[thaisail]

Yes - he could go to jail if he overstays his permitted entry. Have him visit Immigration prior to expiration and request a 7 day extension of stay. It will cost 1,900 baht, a TM.7 form and a 4x6cm current photo. With the proof of outbound ticket the extension will be likely be made. If not he should make another border run to obtain a new 30 day entry. Overstay will cost the 500 baht per day plus a stamp in his passport to advise all other countries that he overstayed (at the minimum). If stopped on overstay he could spend a few days in jail and have a court record.

Just got back from Immigration. I was given the same advice about the 7 day extension. He also warned me against the overstay. He has his plane ticket and I will advise him about the photo. Thanks again!

[torrenova]

I concur that as his requirement is less than 7 days, an extension at immigration is the way to go.

In Pattaya, they will usually ask you to come back either in the afternoon or next day if you apply late in the afternoon but you can wait a couple of days no problem. Don't go on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons.

Your guy can apply for the extension before hs current stamp expires and he should do so but the 7 days extra will be tagged onto his original entitlement.

Another way this could have been averted would have been to ask them not to activate his tourist visa when he first arrived (if he was staying less than 30 days) and just stamp him in. He could then have used the tourist visa for the second visit and have received 60 days which is more than enough.

[lopburi3]

He should have obtained a re-entry permit prior to sailing as that would have resolved everything for a one time cost of 1,000 baht.