Paying Overstay Fine At Land Crossing?

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I know most people think this can only be done safely when leaving by air; I've managed to scrape the 20K together, but airfare/hotels etc are still out of reach.

I've heard of people doing it at land crossings, and am looking for confirmation.

Some say it's only 100% safe if you go with one of the visa-run services that have a good relationship with the officials on the ground.

Others claim it depends on which crossing you use, and might be dependent on the luck of the draw, what he had for breakfast etc.

I would prefer actual facts from those with real experience please, not theoretical speculation, and least of all high-and-mighty indignation on how kee nok I am to be in this situation.

Thanks.

[Colabamumbai]

A fellow I know just did it at Nong Khai, went to Laos and returned no problem.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

A fellow I know just did it at Nong Khai, went to Laos and returned no problem.

Thanks - on his own or with a service?

[Mario2008]

The reason why an airborder is advised is because you run the risk of being checked on the way to the border at a check point and be arrested for overstay. Once you reach the border it is not a problem.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

The reason why an airborder is advised is because you run the risk of being checked on the way to the border at a check point and be arrested for overstay. Once you reach the border it is not a problem.

Aha that makes sense.

So a train ticket might be even safer than a visa-run bus?

[Mario2008]

A visa run bus is fine, the drivers know the risks and the train depends on your location.

[DaDog]

I just went to Chong Chom last week and went across 1 day late. They got me for 1 day at the rate of 500 baht per day. I thought 1 day was OK, but the officer at the gate that used to work at Swampy said 'No Go' at a land crossing, but OK at Swampy.

[Mario2008]

Correct, only at the airport a 1 day overstay is free. Probably has to do with allowing for flights being delayd, etc so it is more practical for them to just allow a 1 day overstay.

[Lite Beer]

The first day is OK at the airport but if it runs over that you get fined for that as well.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

the train depends on your location.

Sorry Mario, do you mean the existence of a station to the border crossing? The intertubes says Nong Khai does, which Colabamumbai reported was good for this scenario.

Or did you mean that some lines may be more likely than others to have the equivalent of a security stop, with officials checking travel documents on board?

[steve187]

I do my border runs at pong nam ron, which is the closest crossing to Chanthaburi, I drive with my wife in our own car, there are some army check points, but have never been stopped, the crossing itself is very quiet, with hardly anyone there, other than the odd minibus, with Thai's going to the casino.Staff always pleasant, and helpful, with not much to do. you could get a bus from bkk to Chanthaburi, then a local minibus.

[Mario2008]

I mean the raillines are limited, so you have limited options going by train. But if traveling in the South to Malaysia, extra security measures are in place.

[NomadJoe]

A visa run bus is fine, the drivers know the risks and the train depends on your location.

I have been searched on board the train to Nong Kai by police which were riding the train between stations. The Thai man sharing the cabin was not.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I have been searched on board the train to Nong Kai by police riding the train between stations. The Thai man sharing the cabin was not.

Thanks for that report. I guess I'll be taking the visa run bus then.

This outfit has been recommended to me for the Nong Kai run, any additional feedback welcome, especially wrt reducing costs.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I do my border runs at pong nam ron, which is the closest crossing to Chanthaburi, I drive with my wife in our own car, there are some army check points, but have never been stopped, the crossing itself is very quiet, with hardly anyone there, other than the odd minibus, with Thai's going to the casino.Staff always pleasant, and helpful, with not much to do. you could get a bus from bkk to Chanthaburi, then a local minibus.

Thanks but the risk seems too high to take public transportation. If anyone driving a private car to such crossings would be willing to take an extra passenger, I'd be happy to chip in for petrol costs.

[bangkokburning]

Mario makes a very valid point about being stopped - but let me add this for you...

If you are worried about getting tossed in the monkey house, my thinking is that the smallest, most insignificant border post is your best option. Thinking: They will be happy to fine the hell out of you AND have no where to put you if they were to hold you.

I would also advise that that I have never had an issue being stopped in transit and in twenty years only twice had my pp looked at in transit. Once I was in Ekamai w/o luggage and cop wanted my pp and look in my bag (fair enough). Another time was on hwy4 at night via bus.

Further, I would though state I do not like the guys at the Padang Besar immigration train point. They seem to be real grubbing sticklers. Nong Khai I am mixed bag about as so on Aran.

You were given a small checkpoint outside Chantaburi, the road runs on to Pailin. If you were really worried about jail - maybe I would look at that option. You can get there via minivan (gambling). Chanta bus station - moto (40B?)- vans waiting off a large street as I recall. You def will not get hassled on a bus to Chantaburi.

One thing sure - if you are worried about jail. Swampy cops sure know the drill.

Good luck!

PS: The army doesn't care about you. It is looking for dodgy Thai's and illegal Khmer/Burmese/Laotians. The one time my pp was looked at I think it was simply out of curiosity (i had it out as the Thais had their cards out). Now days, I do not even take my pp out during checks on hwy4 NOR do i take my pp out on checks on my runs to Aran. Army - a bunch of kids (daytime), looking for fugitives but mostly illegals.

PPS: I don't know how much time it's gonna take you to scrape up money for airfare to ??? but bear in mind, you are running about in the streets and habe minor risk with that. More importantly, I do not know how long your overstay is but don't push your luck.

If you can feign you are a tourist (your visas will tell the story). I would tell them you were robbed and waiting for money to be sent to you.

DON'T DO THIS STUPIDITY AGAIN. It's not good for you - or us!

[BigJohnnyBKK]

If you are worried about getting tossed in the monkey house, my thinking is that the smallest, most insignificant border post is your best option. Thinking: They will be happy to fine the hell out of you AND have no where to put you if they were to hold you.

Thanks for this, and your reassuring reports from experience. Yes of course the danger I'm avoiding is getting picked up before reaching the border crossing, I interpret Mario's statement as meaning that any border crossing is OK, the only danger is possibly getting stopped before while on my way there.

You bring up great points, and for 100% safety swampy's the way to go.

Since I've got personal reports that Nong Kai via this visa run service is no drama, and that's not exorbitant, that's most likely the way I'll go if I can't get a ride in a private car.

The risk might be small, but the downside is too large to take chances just to save less than 1,000 baht.

[NancyL]

I've seen police checkpoints on the roads when traveling near borders. Quite common, in fact. I've always been in a group of middle-aged (or older) well dressed Thai people, with my western husband and the van is just waved thru, but the people in other vehicles are asked to show ID sometimes. So, I'd be leary of driving yourself all the way to Nong Khai (aren't you in CM or Bangkok?)

I've been on busses that were boarded by police and some people asked to show ID. Always seems to be young men (maybe Burmese?), backpacker types and older western men traveling alone who are asked. I'm an older lady traveling with my western husband and we're never asked. Same situation on trains sometimes.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend risking a do-it-yourself border run if you aren't able to fly out of Swampy.

[ozzydom]

<p>Aranyaprathet and Mukdahan both have special booth for overstay payment.

I have paid small fines at both with no hassles,they just check your details ,take the cash and stamp you through.The first time I offered a lame excuse ,like I forgot what day it was ,to which I got a smile and a "no Problem".

[lopburi3]

There is also the small risk of not being allowed entry into the bordering country if they decide to take exception to a new long overstay stamp - which would mean return to Thailand as illegal entry and detention and deportation (Arun website used to carry this warning notice on front page). Believe it is unlikely but it could happen.

[Semper]

I've been on busses that were boarded by police and some people asked to show ID.

This happens all the time on the CR-Mae Sai busses. Everybody must produce some sort of ID, and there is always one or two that can't continue their travel.

[bangkokburning]

Sent you a quick message

Semper: the check was for the Thai's but the dutiful farang just complied no?

Totally agree with Nancy - stay out of private cars

[Colabamumbai]

A fellow I know just did it at Nong Khai, went to Laos and returned no problem.

Thanks - on his own or with a service?

On his own..no problem do be dilligent as you have been warned if you are stopped before you could have problems. I have never been stopped anywhere in Thailand and asked to show my passport. But that could change tomorrow.

[MrRed]

Sent you a mail Johnny.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I just had another thought - my non-immigrant based on my full-custody support of my Thai kids (A?) is nearly up, so I'll most likely just start the overstay clock ticking again by doing this kind of crossing now.

So better to keep saving for the airfare and just go to KL to at least stay on that status. . .

[thejungle]

just cleared 4.5 years overstay in nong khai got a double entry traveled by train

nobody checking you out arrive border crossing no questions ask please take a seat to be fair i wasent sure what to expect carted away or given a verble not one word exchanged hands handed over 20 k embassy no questions back to bkk next day use your judgment what type of ticket to get for the train

and before anyone gos off at me i never intended to overstay got wiped out by a girl lost everything worked my ass off to get money together to do at the same time while trying to support new girl and live a half decent life at the same time pain in the butt trying to avoid every possible threat to be caught but now its back to normal so anyone wanting to fix there visa problem no onwrd ticket needed just dress smart hand your passport in sit down 5 mins later sign and pay back to normality returned yesterday morning

good luck and dont listen to all the bull here its simple go pay come back just use your head to get to where you want to go i suggest nong khai as nobody batted an eye lid train pay no shame