What Are The Real Rules Regarding Overstay?

[nmv]

Hello Everyone,

Great looking forum. I'm new here, so I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, but am in a situation where I'm very pressed for time (and have limited time for research).

Last month, I entered Thailand on the 30 day visa exemption/waiver, and last week, filed for a 7 day extension down at the BKK immigration office. Prior to going to the office, I had called and spoken with a lady there to find out just how necessary the extension was. She told me that if I overstayed just 2-3 days, I would simply be charged an extra 500 Baht per day at the airport, but that if it got to be more days than that and I went to the airport, I could get arrested, blacklisted, etc.. (even if I wasn't "discovered" by the police beforehand - she said it could all happen at the airport if customs/immigration saw I had overstayed just 4-7 days).

When I went to the immigration office to get the extension, I was told by a different lady that the first lady was incorrect, stating I could overstay for at least several weeks and simply pay the 500 Baht per day at the airport with no problems (up to a 20,000 Baht limit). When I asked about the discrepancy between that and what the other lady said, she had no answer and was kind of rude. Not knowing who to believe and already being downtown, I got the 7 day extension for 1900 Baht.

I have now found out I may have to stay up to 4 days past the extension expiration date. It expires on the 19th, leaving little time for a visa run/border crossing. Getting to my main question... Now that I've already gotten this extension , do I still have the option of paying 500 Baht per day of overstay beyond the extensions expiration date? Or is that option only for people who have not yet gotten the extension?

I've been told by immigration that option is still available to me, but I don't know what or who to believe anymore. Also, if that option is still available, I'm still unsure if I can overstay only 1-3 days but get in trouble for 4 or more. I suspect I would be alright, but would like to know for sure (maybe I've watched that Nat Geo show "Locked Up Abroad" too many times But seriously, any knowledge/advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

nmv

[PhilHarries]

Well I don't know specifically about the four days but I have done a single day beyond the seven day extension and there was no hassles. So I'd guess youd be okay provided you are not picked up away from the airport.

AFAIK provided you make it to the airport, whatever the overstay length, you just cough up and go.

If you want a 100% cast iron guarantee you are in the wrng country. All this visa stuff is ultimately down to the immigration officer and if he's having a bad day and you don't fit his perception of a nice guy he will make sure you have a bad day.

[Mario2008]

The overstay fine is 500 with a maximum of 20,000. You already have an extension, which is cheaper than 4 days overstay and the legal way to do it. You can't get your money back.

As for overstay, at the airport you just pay the fine and are on your way without being blacklisted or anything. If you get caught on overstay during a check they can arrest you and detain you till you have paid the fine and have a ticket out of the country.

[InterestedObserver]

Your problem is not so much with immigration as with the police on the street. If you are on overstay, even 1 day, and are stopped for anything, you'll likely do jail time before being deported. Overstay is serious business in Thailand. Thai jails are particularly nasty, especially if you don't have friends to support you while in residence.

[wpcoe]

The overstay fine is 500 with a maximum of 20,000. You already have an extension, which is cheaper than 4 days overstay and the legal way to do it. You can't get your money back.

As for overstay, at the airport you just pay the fine and are on your way without being blacklisted or anything. If you get caught on overstay during a check they can arrest you and detain you till you have paid the fine and have a ticket out of the country.

Your problem is not so much with immigration as with the police on the street. If you are on overstay, even 1 day, and are stopped for anything, you'll likely do jail time before being deported. Overstay is serious business in Thailand. Thai jails are particularly nasty, especially if you don't have friends to support you while in residence.

In case it's not totally clear, what the above two posts mean is that if you are on overstay and:

(a) are lucky enough to make it to the airport, you are "safe" and just pay the overstay fine, but

( are unlucky enough to be stopped by police any day, any time before you reach the airport, THEN you are in a heap of trouble.

[abdulrahman]

In case it's not totally clear, what the above two posts mean is that if you are on overstay and:

(a) are lucky enough to make it to the airport, you are "safe" and just pay the overstay fine, but

( are unlucky enough to be stopped by police any day, any time before you reach the airport, THEN you are in a heap of trouble.

My respects,wpcoe:

the best,and concise,answer to an overstay problem!

[astral]

Wpcoe sums it up nicely.

Better to get an extension and not run the risk.

[Hans Brix]

I am in no way advising overstay. I did it once for 52 days and paid my fine 5 years ago (200 baht/day at that time). however, I have been in Bangkok for 37 years and never once been stooped (I own no car) and asked for my passport. I think if you drive a car or bike or live in boonies you run a risk of being stopped and busted for overstay. I think if ur like me and travel city on foot low key, then chances of being nailed for short overstay are less than .01% so better to buy lotto tickets. LOL

[PhilHarries]

I am in no way advising overstay. I did it once for 52 days and paid my fine 5 years ago (200 baht/day at that time). however, I have been in Bangkok for 37 years and never once been stooped (I own no car) and asked for my passport. I think if you drive a car or bike or live in boonies you run a risk of being stopped and busted for overstay. I think if ur like me and travel city on foot low key, then chances of being nailed for short overstay are less than .01% so better to buy lotto tickets. LOL

During my twelve years in Thailand I also was never asked for my passport and I drove a car nearly every day and I was, on a number of occasions, stopped and asked to generously contribute to the police social club.

Personally my impression is that the place you are most likely to be copped is late night entertainment venues assuming, that is, you don't p1ss off some Thai person who knows, or suspects, your position.

Either way an overstay is living life as a game of Russian roulette.