Overstay - Local Immigration Office Or Border Run?

[DrMince]

Hi,

I'm a 45 year old Brit staying in Phuket on a multiple entry non-immigrant "O" visa.

I have just noticed that I have overstayed by 10 days. I was planning to go to Malaysia (land border at Satun) in four days to leave and re-enter.

I read in another topic about the possibility of going to the local immigration office, paying the fine and getting an emergency 7 day extension. Is this still possible? Should I wait until the day before I go to Malaysia or just hope for the best on the trip down and pay at the border.

I have lived here for years and have only made the same mistake once before. I like to stay legal and care-free.

Thanks.

[Mario2008]

It is still possible, although they might want to see an airline ticket in order to get the extension. In fact, buying a ticket and leaving by air is the best thing to do.

The risk of going to the border is that you might be checked before you get there and caught on overstay. Then you can be arrested and detained till you pay the fine and have bought a ticket out of the country. I don't think it is a great risk, but it can happen.

[Nio]

It is still possible, although they might want to see an airline ticket in order to get the extension. In fact, buying a ticket and leaving by air is the best thing to do.

The risk of going to the border is that you might be checked before you get there and caught on overstay. Then you can be arrested and detained till you pay the fine and have bought a ticket out of the country. I don't think it is a great risk, but it can happen.

risk of going to the border is that you might be checked before you get there

Checked by who and where? Don't tell me a special task force has been set up to check for possible farang visa overstayer's?

I don't think it is a great risk, but it can happen

Yes and you can be struck by lightning and eaten by a shark too! It can happen.