Hello!

I'm flying to BKK this month to do some computer work, I'm staying in a reasonably upscale hotel near Nana.

The project may go over 30 days, which is the duration of my Visa, and I absolutely won't have time for a "Visa run" or any long queues to get extensions.

I have absolutely no concerns with paying the exit overstay fines at the airport, and I will have a return ticket paid for as well.

My one concern is; do hotels alert the authorities when a guest overstays his visa? Do they check visas every month for a guest who extends his trip?

I will not be in town to party, to travel, to fight, to drink, to leer at girls or anything else, or to otherwise besmirch the good graces of the King, the government, or the good people of Thailand. I'm there to do database development for a client and I simply won't have the time to deal with visa beurocracy if the project goes long. Which is to say, I apologize to anyone offended by my intentions but Im simply looking for frank, informed opinions on my risk, thats all.

Thank you very much in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

Why not get a 60 day tourist visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in your current location before you go?

Not sure where you are flying from but from countries such as the US, UK, and Australia if you arrive at the airport with no visa and your RT return is over 30 days out, you may not be boarded.

It sounds like you will be working in Thailand illegally without a work permit. Not judging, just saying as you should be aware of what you intend to do. In other words, as far as the powers that be in Thailand are concerned, they would be much happier if you WERE coming here to leer at girls!

Hotels report their foreign guests daily to immigration.

Edited July 4, 201214 yr by Jingthing

You will get a queue of people here to inform you but ... what you receive when you enter the Kingdom at the Airport with no valid Visa, is a 'Visa exemption'. So you do not have a 'Visa' per se.

JT's thought above is the best ... get a 60 day Visa before you enter the country ... so much easier.

If you do obtain a 60 Day Visa before entering Thailand, just make sure the immigration officer makes your 'Must leave by' stamp is 60 days from that day. Sometimes they make mistakes and occasionally stamp for 30 days.

Huh! I wasnt aware a 60 day visa was even available from the US. Last time I was there, I thought 30 day was max, anything further required trips to embassies, or visa runs. That would certainly solve a lot of problems!

Btw JT, my budget for getting clothes made on Sukhumvit is something in the neighborhood of low six figures a month, the Thai government should want me to stick around as long as possible

the Thai government should want me to stick around as long as possible

No because you are working without a workpermit and when they find out you will be deported

Why not get a 60 day tourist visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in your current location before you go?

Not sure where you are flying from but from countries such as the US, UK, and Australia if you arrive at the airport with no visa and your RT return is over 30 days out, you may not be boarded.

It sounds like you will be working in Thailand illegally without a work permit. Not judging, just saying as you should be aware of what you intend to do. In other words, as far as the powers that be in Thailand are concerned, they would be much happier if you WERE coming here to leer at girls!

Hotels report their foreign guests daily to immigration.

Do hotels really report every guest, everyday to immigration, thats a new one on me. How do they do it, does an immigration officer come to the premises, or does a member of staff visit immigration with a list of guests, maybe by phone,or even emai? lthats a lot of work for immigration.

Do hotels really report every guest, everyday to immigration, thats a new one on me. How do they do it, does an immigration officer come to the premises, or does a member of staff visit immigration with a list of guests, maybe by phone,or even emai? lthats a lot of work for immigration.

Yeah I didnt take that comment very seriously either.

Seems you have your answer, but let's move this over to the visa forum.

Even if you only get a 30 day stamp upon arrival, there are visa companies who will get you a 10 day extension...you won't have to deal with the local immigration office.

If you don't, your only risk is that of getting caught with an expired visa. What happens then is up to the police who catch you. It's rare, but it does happen. If you get to the airport, it's just a small fine. Payable at immigration as you leave the Kingdom.

Yes, you will be working here illegally. Probably not a problem but it's possible you could get into some hot water.

Topic Moved.

On the visa free entry thing.....it's your choice what to do.

You will get that visa free entry on arrival for 30 days....the overstay fee is 500 Baht a day if you overstay....so if you overstay 10 days think 5000 Baht per day for that overstay. Sometimes they forgive you the first day, so let's call that 10 day overstay a fee for 9 days over stay or 4500 Baht. (about $15 at current exchange rate)

Compare that to a 60 day tourist visa which will run about $40 from a Thai consulate in the U.S. (roughly 1200 Baht). If you need more time you could extend that visa for another 30 days here in Thailand at a fee of 1900 Baht.

Depending on how long over the 30 day non visa entry you expect to stay....well you can do the calcualtions on any overstay fee for yourself and make the decision on what to do.

One thing though....on either a visa free entry or a tourist visa you are NOT allowed to work in Thailand legally.

It doesn't matter where or who pays you for that work...if you physically do the work in Thailand....even just signing a piece of paper...you are working in Thailand by the Thai Department of Labor definition of "work in Thailand"

If you are working for a Thai company, or even a non Thai company with an established office in Thailand, they shoud have cleared that hurdle before you come here. But, this being Thailand, I'm pretty certain they didn't make those arrangements.

In short, you will be working in Thailand illegally...and that can result in you being fined.

Note the catch here...if a Thai company or client brings you to Thailand to work for them, and you are caught working without a Work Permit for that work....then YOU will be fined for working illegally NOT the Thai company who brought you here.

So to be frank....what does the Thai company have to lose?

Now, and especially for IT specialists...there is a provision to get someone like you a special work visa as a visiting foriegn consultant.

The Thai company that brings you here should have taken care of that detail. But again, I bet they didn't do that exactly as I mentioned above.

That part...about the legality of working in Thailand and getting a Work Permit or a non immigrant type B (business) visa is what should really be your prime concern.

You might want to talk to someone in your nearest Thai consulate...or do an on-line search for the web site of the Thai consulate nearest you and give them a phone call for heir advice before you leave.

Edited July 5, 201214 yr by IMA_FARANG

Hotels report (most do on-line) daily to immigration all foreign guests/passport/departure card information. Upcountry many have not been doing (normally having another make the registration) but push is being made to actively seek and fine those in violation and this has been ongoing for a few years as terrorists among us does not bide well for those officials who should have known.

As this visitor appears to be actively employed he needs a non immigrant visa entry and a work permit. The company he is working for should provide him the proper documents rather than have him risk jail. Although there may be little chance of it coming to that just be aware you are at risk and it is up to you to mitigate that.

Tourist visas will not make the work legal but at least you will not be overstay. They are obtained from Thai Consulates outside of Thailand and cost about $40 in US.

In the past week there has been 7 farangs arrested in the Nana area for visa overstay. I am at court this morning translating for 3 of them!

Big crack down on visa overstay at the moment in Nana area with lots of police stopping non Thai people to check visa validity.

I do not think hotels will report overstay but the chances of your being picked up are a lot greater walking the streets of upper Sukumvit at the moment.

Seems you have your answer, but let's move this over to the visa forum.

Even if you only get a 30 day stamp upon arrival, there are visa companies who will get you a 10 day extension...you won't have to deal with the local immigration office.

If you don't, your only risk is that of getting caught with an expired visa. What happens then is up to the police who catch you. It's rare, but it does happen. If you get to the airport, it's just a small fine. Payable at immigration as you leave the Kingdom.

Yes, you will be working here illegally. Probably not a problem but it's possible you could get into some hot water.

Topic Moved.

I think, as JT pointed out, the bigger problem is that, with a return ticket more than 30 days out from your arrival, it's very likely that the airline won't board you.

Get the tourist visa, and stop wasting everyone's time.

"Sometimes they forgive you the first day, so let's call that 10 day overstay a fee for 9 days over stay or 4500 Baht. (about $15 at current exchange rate)"

The first day is only forgiven if your overstay is only one day. At day two, all days are overstay with fine due.

4500 baht is about $150 dollars, not $15.

Terry

Even if you only get a 30 day stamp upon arrival, there are visa companies who will get you a 10 day extension...you won't have to deal with the local immigration office.

Ten day extensions have not been issued for years. Seven days unapproved extension is the only current option for short legal extra time to exit country.

Why not get a 60 day tourist visa from a Thai embassy or consulate in your current location before you go?

Not sure where you are flying from but from countries such as the US, UK, and Australia if you arrive at the airport with no visa and your RT return is over 30 days out, you may not be boarded.

It sounds like you will be working in Thailand illegally without a work permit. Not judging, just saying as you should be aware of what you intend to do. In other words, as far as the powers that be in Thailand are concerned, they would be much happier if you WERE coming here to leer at girls!

Hotels report their foreign guests daily to immigration.

Do hotels really report every guest, everyday to immigration, thats a new one on me. How do they do it, does an immigration officer come to the premises, or does a member of staff visit immigration with a list of guests, maybe by phone,or even emai? lthats a lot of work for immigration.

No, that's no work at all for immigration... Ho(s)tels bookeepers just need to have their guests registry accurate, in case of an impromptu control.

But when you are checking in, they are registering the date when your "permit-to-stay" is ending...

Am not sure what you are trying to say above but hotels do indeed report this information to immigration on a daily basis in tourist areas and as required at others (although they may suggest another make the reservation to avoid in some places). Normally it is being reported to immigration, as said above in a spreadsheet format, on a daily basis.

In the past week there has been 7 farangs arrested in the Nana area for visa overstay. I am at court this morning translating for 3 of them!

Big crack down on visa overstay at the moment in Nana area with lots of police stopping non Thai people to check visa validity.

I do not think hotels will report overstay but the chances of your being picked up are a lot greater walking the streets of upper Sukumvit at the moment.

Wowwwww, yikes. This gives me pause, thanks very much.

You should try and get a single entry non immigrant B visa that would give you 90 day entry. The company you will be working for would just need to give you a letter requesting the visa for you to conduct business with them.

Or if you have a business in the US you could issue your own letter requesting the visa but have it signed by somebody other than you.

Contact one of the honorary consulates.listed here http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/ .

The honorary consulates normally give same day turn around on mail in applications. If send it to them using overnight service and include a return overnight slip you can have your passport back 2 days from when you sent it.

In the past week there has been 7 farangs arrested in the Nana area for visa overstay. I am at court this morning translating for 3 of them!

Big crack down on visa overstay at the moment in Nana area with lots of police stopping non Thai people to check visa validity.

I do not think hotels will report overstay but the chances of your being picked up are a lot greater walking the streets of upper Sukumvit at the moment.

Thanks for the heads up on this. Kinda puts the age old debate to rest regarding should I carry my passport or now. The risk is real if you don't!

The report is about overstay - they are not in court for failing to have passport with them from what I read.

Huh! I wasnt aware a 60 day visa was even available from the US. Last time I was there, I thought 30 day was max, anything further required trips to embassies, or visa runs. That would certainly solve a lot of problems!

Btw JT, my budget for getting clothes made on Sukhumvit is something in the neighborhood of low six figures a month, the Thai government should want me to stick around as long as possible

I think that if you have time to go clothes shopping you should also find time in your self-important and busy work schedule to take care of irritating matters such as obeying the Immigration Laws.

Patrick

On a 30 day exempt, don't you have to have a return ticket to show within the 30 days ?

Only if airline requires it for boarding (and not return - just onward) - it is not going to be checked by immigration.

The 3 farangs got 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 baht fines which depended on the amount of time they had overstayed. Only one of them has the money to pay so it is off to Pathumthani Prison for a short stay for the other 2!

BB

Why the hoosegow at Pathum Thani rather than the IDC at Suan Plu?

Mac

BB

Why the hoosegow at Pathum Thani rather than the IDC at Suan Plu?

Mac

THey have not paid a court fine. When they are released they go to the IDC.

Their court fine will be deducted at 200 baht per day of imprisonment at one of the prisons nominated for this purpose. In Bangkok it is Pathumthani. After which Lumpini Police will collect them and send them back to the IDC to await deportation! They also might get a night in the lock up at Lumpini in transit.

Huh! I wasnt aware a 60 day visa was even available from the US. Last time I was there, I thought 30 day was max, anything further required trips to embassies, or visa runs. That would certainly solve a lot of problems!

Btw JT, my budget for getting clothes made on Sukhumvit is something in the neighborhood of low six figures a month, the Thai government should want me to stick around as long as possible

I think that if you have time to go clothes shopping you should also find time in your self-important and busy work schedule to take care of irritating matters such as obeying the Immigration Laws.

Patrick

Youre absolutely right Patrick. I'll pass on spending a single baht while Im there. Thailand for Thais after all, so Thai problems (poverty, a wilting middle class, insipid immigration policies, draconian and hostile foreign policy, business regulations that couldnt survive on childrens playgrounds, and a legal system more concerned with bleeding farangs than addressing a culture of systemic corruption and graft) get Thai solutions (hilariously ham fisted attempts at cutting wit on internet forums).

You've opened my eyes Patrick. Why I believe I'd even turn this contract over to a competent, seasoned Thai database architect, if only we could find one.

Regards.

From the OP:

...Im simply looking for frank, informed opinions on my risk...

Question: do hotels alert the authorities when a guest overstays his visa?

Answer: No. They comply with regulatory requirements to notify immigration of your arrival and that's the end of it for the hotel.

Question: Do [hotels] check visas every month for a guest who extends his trip?

Answer: No.

Risk: Without a visa, eg a tourist visa, the airline may deny you boarding in the USA unless you have a flight ticket out of Thailand within 30 days from your arrival. Visas can be applied for by mail from one of the many Thai consulates in the USA; minimal documents required, ie little "bureaucracy" and practically no time spent on the application. If you do manage to board without a visa and overstay, you risk arrest, detention, a fine, and deportation if a random police check should reveal your overstay.

Risk: Without a work permit, the application for which involves some "bureaucracy", to be dealt with mostly by your Thai "client", ie employer, you risk, arrest, detention, a fine, and deportation if the fact that your are working without a work permit comes to the attention of immigration or the Department of Employment.

Regarding bureaucracy for the work permit application, a law firm such as Sunbelt Asia, for example, can guide your employer through the process and do the running around on their behalf for a reasonable fee. The way you have described your work assignment it may even fall under the Necessary and Urgent Work Acknowledgment, ie obtainable at a moment's notice, no work permit required. While this Work Acknowledgement allows you to work for 15 days I understand that back-back acknowledgements can be obtained in case of necessity of working longer than 15 days. The law firm would be able to advise you.