20 Year Overstay

[pumpuiman]

My wife and I (currently in the U.S.) just received a call from her sister telling us our Isaan neighbor was just arrested for overstay.

He is a native of Holland and is married to a Thai.

Here's the story....sketchy at best...I'm trying to get more details, but getting lost in translation.

Three days ago the local cops came to the guys house and arrested him for overstay and took him to the local police station.

His wife apparently bailed him out for 2000 baht...he returned to his house.

Next day...the Bangkok police took him to Bangkok.

The following day he was back at his home again...apparently told he must return to Holland to get sorted out. He's leaving in a few days.

Here's the kicker...his passport has been expired for 20 years.

And apparently never registered his marriage...and was originally on a tourist visa.

Can this be possible....I mean how come he's not in the IDC awaiting deportation?

I'm trying to get more info....I really am. I've been chomping at the bit waiting for details.

Anyone think this story could have occured as we were told?

It seems inconceivable that he would have been allowed to leave Bangkok.

[retiredusn]

Mate I have friends who left viet nam for the US and never arrived. The ones I have kept in contact with came to Thailand in the period 68-1970 and just never returned. They are happy and doing the local thing which is not all that bad. Have a great 4th of July/ MCPO

25 yrs. is nothing compared to happy"ness.

[PeaceBlondie]

I had a neighbor who was at least on ten year overstay, living in Chiang Mai city. It is possible.

[Moonrakers]

I went 18 months over once. (Long story that one.)

Whilst on overstay, I was sat outside the apartment building having a drink with friends when immigration turned up, I could have poo'd myself. They came over and asked for our passports when another, more senior looking chap told them to leave us, it appeared as though they where more interested in the M. Eastern, Indian and Africans than us.

Needless to say I then re-doubled my efforts to get my passport straight again.

[pumpuiman]

I don't doubt that he overstayed for 20 years.

What I can't understand is how he managed to avoid being put in the IDC.

Is bail allowed in such circumstances?

Why wasn't he detained?

Seems awful kind hearted to let him return to Isaan to wait for his flight.

What are the repercussions of such a lengthy overstay? I have read other posts suggesting the slate is wiped clean, and you may return without penalty. Does anyone know any different?

[dotcom]

Except for PB the rest of us would be in prision waiting deportation. Prolly blacklisted to boot.

This the middle finger extended to the Thai authorities.

[pumpuiman]

OK.....I just got the updated story.

He was taken to the IDC. His wife then ran around getting his things in order (ticket to Holland..and I imagine dealing with the embassy to get a temporary passport)

He spent one night in IDC...Then was escorted by police to the airport. (he did not return to Isaan as previously reported)

He's in Holland now....

I'll post here when I hear more.

[visarunner]

OK.....I just got the updated story.

He was taken to the IDC. His wife then ran around getting his things in order (ticket to Holland..and I imagine dealing with the embassy to get a temporary passport)

He spent one night in IDC...Then was escorted by police to the airport. (he did not return to Isaan as previously reported)

He's in Holland now....

I'll post here when I hear more.

He could come back immediate on a 30day stamp.

He should marry officially his long term girlfriend and get a legal Non Immigrant (marriage Visa) and stay happy in Thailand.

[BigSnake]

Could very well be true, sometime facts/truth is stranger than fiction. If he never had a reason or the will to leave Thailand and an income to support himself and his extended family/no problem with authority this could indeed be the case.

[mikethevigoman]

In most other countries he would be given residency almost for sure ( unless a fugitive )

[pumpuiman]

I'm curious as to what he'll do.

He's a severe alcoholic...it makes me wonder if he's got enough brain cells left to handle getting a proper visa.

He's also got diabetes (from the booze) and was told he'll lose his legs if he doesn't stop drinking.

He now drinks on crutches.

Maybe a trip home is what he needed...perhaps his family will recognize he needs help.

I'll update as the news comes in.

[keestha]

The story didn't surprise me. Tucked away in villages and non touristy small towns there are probably many similar cases. Local authorities know little about immigration rules, and as long as the person doesn't make waves and never leaves the area, his status will never be checked.

[sriracha john]

...and was originally on a tourist visa.

He should be able to obtain a tourist visa in Holland without too much problem and then return where he should then be "good to go" for another 20 years in Thailand...

Please let us know how things develop and extend my best wishes to him.

[sniffdog]

OK.....I just got the updated story.

He was taken to the IDC. His wife then ran around getting his things in order (ticket to Holland..and I imagine dealing with the embassy to get a temporary passport)

He spent one night in IDC...Then was escorted by police to the airport. (he did not return to Isaan as previously reported)

He's in Holland now....

I'll post here when I hear more.

He could come back immediate on a 30day stamp.

He should marry officially his long term girlfriend and get a legal Non Immigrant (marriage Visa) and stay happy in Thailand.

Not necessarily ..... he might have got a special stamp in his passport ....

[pumpuiman]

I haven't heard of any "special stamps".

Is there such a thing as being blacklisted for this?

[LaoPo]

OK.....I just got the updated story.

He was taken to the IDC. His wife then ran around getting his things in order (ticket to Holland..and I imagine dealing with the embassy to get a temporary passport)

He spent one night in IDC...Then was escorted by police to the airport. (he did not return to Isaan as previously reported)

He's in Holland now....

I'll post here when I hear more.

He could come back immediate on a 30day stamp.

He should marry officially his long term girlfriend and get a legal Non Immigrant (marriage Visa) and stay happy in Thailand.

Not necessarily ..... he might have got a special stamp in his passport ....

After 20 years he probably didn't have a valid passport anymore and got a 'laissez passer'/temporary travel document from the Dutch Embassy. Thai authorities might have put him in the computer though.

If he's in Holland he will try to get a new passport, if he will get one, and has to apply for a tourist visa if he wants to stay longer than 30 days. Up to 30 days, no visa required.

Booze is cheaper in LOS than Holland....

LaoPo

Edited July 4, 2008 by LaoPo

[tartempion]

Had an ex servant of her Majesty living in the village, dunno for how long since I got there after him

One day he died form excessive drinking (10 bottles of Chang) and excessive smoking (80 cigs/day)

He left his GF with a 60K Baht hospital bill, no money in his wallet.

It was a stupid idea from the neighbouring farangs to bring him to a private hospital, all agreed to collect money for the hospital bill, none gave a single baht

His passport expired long ago, must have had nice overstay.

He never went away from base, from fear being caught?

[jumnien]

I'm curious as to what he'll do.

He's a severe alcoholic...it makes me wonder if he's got enough brain cells left to handle getting a proper visa.

He's also got diabetes (from the booze) and was told he'll lose his legs if he doesn't stop drinking.

He now drinks on crutches.

Maybe a trip home is what he needed...perhaps his family will recognize he needs help.

I'll update as the news comes in.

It's a shame he couldn't have made it to this weekend's 4th Annual Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup in Khon Kaen. Mostly in Thai, but many farang as well!

[raybona]

I new a guy (English) who recently died here in Goa, he overstayed here for over 30 years, came in on a tourist visa and told everybody he had a resident permit.

Nobody asked to see it, and as long as you don't get into trouble (with locals, accident, fight, etc), who cares?

I did my 6 month visaruns because i don't like to live looking over my shoulders all the time, but in the 3,5 years nobody asked me anything.

Even at a police check with the car they only ask for driverlicence and insurance, never passport!

So, Possible i guess.

[wolfmanjack]

I new a guy (English) who recently died here in Goa, he overstayed here for over 30 years, came in on a tourist visa and told everybody he had a resident permit.

Nobody asked to see it, and as long as you don't get into trouble (with locals, accident, fight, etc), who cares?

I did my 6 month visaruns because i don't like to live looking over my shoulders all the time, but in the 3,5 years nobody asked me anything.

Even at a police check with the car they only ask for driverlicence and insurance, never passport!

So, Possible i guess.

In 13 years in Thailand the only time i have been asked for my passport is when i was being question in a murder case.

The police Colonel asked for my passport.

Nope.

Do you have a photocopy with you ?

Nope but i do have a Thai drivers license?

Okay no problem lets see that.

A photo copy of my thai drivers license was taken and i signed the photo copy.

My conclusion is that the only police that care about you carrying a passport are the immigration police.

[Deke]

My conclusion is that the only police that care about you carrying a passport are the immigration police.

I think this is generally true. The Dutch guy must have made an enemy somewhere who complained to the police.

[Heng]

It's not really surprising. The local immigration system has a lot of leaks and loopholes (for Asians at least: in terms of high hundreds of thousands) and there are bound to be non-Asians (likely in the thousands) slipping through as well.

There are whole generations of Thai Chinese and Thai Indians who used the ol' adopt an identity thing: a Thai dies before age 15... thus no photo attached to the identity... the Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Lao, etc. etc. national shows up with the birth cert. purchased from the Thai's family for anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand Baht... and wallah, instant Thai! Obviously not as common nowadays of course with the amphurs becoming computerized and networked.

[Heng]

My conclusion is that the only police that care about you carrying a passport are the immigration police.

I think this is generally true. The Dutch guy must have made an enemy somewhere who complained to the police.

Probably something mundane like complaining about the neighbor's dogs or untidy garbage cans.

[Mario2008]

I haven't heard of any "special stamps".

Is there such a thing as being blacklisted for this?

It isn't that serious of offence. But he probably will be backlisted for some time. Saw a posting from a man who's kid was on overstay. He tought what the h3ll, no fines for kids on overstay. But when he returned from abroad with the kid the kid was denied entry because of the overstay.

It's easy to live in Thailand without a visa. Up-country they never ask for your passport. Only near refugee camps like near Mae Sod you can find immigration checkpoints that will also ask westerners for their passport. I have the impression police is asking more and more at checkpoints to see your passport.

[Briggsy]

The story didn't surprise me. Tucked away in villages and non touristy small towns there are probably many similar cases. Local authorities know little about immigration rules, and as long as the person doesn't make waves and never leaves the area, his status will never be checked.

Possible but in remote villages and even not so remote ones, many posters get a visit from the local police or phoo yai bahn who asks to see the passport and records the visa details.

[tomuk76]

Its 100% possible. There are thousands if not tens of thousands (and the rest) doing it in the uk, so why not thailand?

Edited July 5, 2008 by tomuk76

[tomuk76]

This post has inspired me! Since re reading it i have come to the decision not to do my 90 day visa run on tuesday! I will now stay in thailand as a illegal immigrant, After all if i do get hungry there are lots of stray dogs and wild plants around to eat

[abdulrahman]

My conclusion is that the only police that care about you carrying a passport are the immigration police.

I think this is generally true. The Dutch guy must have made an enemy somewhere who complained to the police.

Most of the time this is true,but 2years ago i was stopped by the Highway Police,on my way to the south,the officer wanted to fine me;finding no other excuse he asked for my Passport,that I didn't have with me,and threatened to bring me (and the other 8 Thais in the car,I think),to the nearest Police Station .

Well, my wife,at least,woke up,(it was after midnight)showed him HER card and we were on our way with no more problems.

That did teach me to have always,everywhere,all the required documentation.I'm keenyaw,don't like to pay a fine,however small,to the BiB!

[tropo]

I'm curious as to what he'll do.

He's a severe alcoholic...it makes me wonder if he's got enough brain cells left to handle getting a proper visa.

He's also got diabetes (from the booze) and was told he'll lose his legs if he doesn't stop drinking.

He now drinks on crutches.

Maybe a trip home is what he needed...perhaps his family will recognize he needs help.

I'll update as the news comes in.

I don't mean to be depressing, but he can't really be sorted out.

According to your story, he's an alcoholic with diabetes who has already lost the use of his legs due to diabetic neuropathy. Blindness will probably soon follow...he's pretty much already beyond help. I'm sure he'd be a lot better off drinking himself to death in Thailand than trying to get sorted out back in Holland.

[007]

After all if i do get hungry there are lots of stray dogs and wild plants around to eat

Thai food, yummy..