I have an American friend who got cought on this recently when renewing his "marriage" extension. The Immigration officer noticed on her computer that he'd never made the required 90-day report, never over lots of years.

He was told the fine for this would be baht 20,000!

I thought the max fine was baht 5,000 if you were caught for not doing this, and baht 2,000 if "caught" for just being late, but having done earlier reports.

???

Could he have just misunderstood?

Mac

Suspect the officer was confused and used the overstay rule rather than the 90 day report rule. Did he pay 20k? Did he get a receipt for 20k?

Suspect the officer was confused and used the overstay rule rather than the 90 day report rule. Did he pay 20k? Did he get a receipt for 20k?

Lop3

Good point, I'll ask.

Mac

At Chiang Mai immigration window 2 there is a sign in English that failure to report for 90 days can be fined 5000 baht for the first 90 days and 200 baht for every day after indefinitely. That means a 60,000 Baht Fine. Your friend is lucky.

The maximum fine permitted by law for late reporting as set out in the Immigration Act is:

"... not exceeding 5,000 Baht and with and additional fine not exceeding 200 Baht for each day which passes until the law is complied with"

but currently set at 2,000 baht for voluntary late reporting or 4,000 baht if fail to report and are arrested.

The maximum fine permitted by law for late reporting as set out in the Immigration Act is:

"... not exceeding 5,000 Baht and with and additional fine not exceeding 200 Baht for each day which passes until the law is complied with"

but currently set at 2,000 baht for voluntary late reporting or 4,000 baht if fail to report and are arrested.

r report

there is no way you can get arrested for not reporting. You only pay 2000 bt even if you never report the whole year. I pay the 2000 when I renewed my retirement visa

While true it doesn't carry a jail sentence, it is an offense for which you can be arrested and detained till processed.

The norm is 2,000 baht if you report yourself, 4,000 when they arrest you. But the law allows for a maximum fine of 5,000 baht plus 200 baht for each day you are late, under section 76 of the immigration act.

Whilst Iam no expert on this i was under the impression if you failed to report you would then be classed to be on overstay, hence the 20k fine (maximum)..

Good to see its considered a different foopa and is actually considerably cheaper, learn something new everyday !!!

Yes. Nothing to do with overstay. Two different things.