Overstay

[Peder]

A sad story but true.

A 66 year old British citizen, a regular visitor to Thailand for 25 years, no previous violations of Thai Immigration Regulations. Until July 2003, when instead of doing a visa run personally he turned his passport over to an agent (first time) who promised to obtain the necessary stamps in his passport, “no problem”.

Then he heard the reports about the Thai Government cracking down on illegally obtained entry-exit stamps in passports and realised that the entry stamp in his passport could be a fake. At the time there were many different rumors and it seemed to be that it might be beneficial to wait until after the APEC meeting when the situation would become clearer. Unfortunately he compounded his original mistake by deciding to wait and by doing so overstayed his visa. Anyway he eventually obtained a new passport from the embassy and went to Thai Immigration office in Bangkok to face the music. He paid his overstay and the fee for a 10 day extension. He now intends to do a border crossing and re-enter on a 30 day visa.

The question is does anyone have any knowledge of similar circumstances? Will he have a problem re-entering the Kingdom because of his previous overstay?

Advice would be much appreciated.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

He's ' settled up '. Immigration on re-entry poses no problems for him, but I recommend he get a real visa as soon as possible.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Dr Pat Pong is correct. He paid his dues and has 10 days to leave and get a new visa.

[Peder]

Thanks for input guys.

Yes Dr Pat Pong, he's a bit tight for money right now so he figures to make a quick border crossing now and next month go out to a consul for a real visa.