Fined At Immo/Cw -- Plus Red Stamp In Pp

[TaoNow]

(apologies if this has been covered on an earlier thread)

I have been on a retirement extension since 2008, and I have faithfully kept my 90-day report appointments -- that is, until last week.

For no good reason, I missed the appointment by 2 days (that is, 2 days past the 7-day grace period).

So, this morning I hustled over to Immo/CW to report and pay the expected 2,000 baht fine.

What I didn't expect was the red stamp in my passport with a Thai-language statement as follows: "Stayed beyond 90 days and failed to report Bangkok residence to Immo Div. 2. Fine = 2,000 baht. Date. Signed..."

I didn't want to bother the officer with questions, but I was wondering why the stamp was necessary.

To inform Thai consulates in considering whether to issue a visa to the passport holder?

As the formal record of the fine, in the case that they don't enter this information into a centralized, computer database?

One comment from the Immo officer was curious: When I told her that I doubt I would ever miss another appointment, she responded that :"You had better not because it's now recorded in your passport."

Anyway, I provide this trip report to remind those long-term resident ex-pats that paying the 2,000 fine for missing the 90-day appt. does not wipe the slate clean.

Thus, the fine may count toward the dreaded 20,000 baht jack pot -- in the same way that traffic fines add de-merit points to your driver's license with revocation when some level is reached. Or repeat offenses could draw higher fines.

Finally, not sure if these red stamps are transferred to a new passport -- but I would assume they are. I just hope there is a statute of limitations after a period of compliant behavior.

Any related experience or info would be appreciated.

[lopburi3]

It is a notation as an overstay is entered in passport. There is no accumulation of "points" resulting in an extension suspension or other negative effects and it is highly unlikely to be transferred into a new passport. But an interesting report and a sign that reporting will be taken even more seriously.

[TaoNow]

Thanks lopburi3; that is reasurring. I hope you are right (as you usually are).

[mojaco]

Those stamps aren't new. My wife and I (on retirement annual extensions) both got those stamps in our passports in July 2010 (2 years ago) when we missed our 90 day reporting date for the first time in 15 years. The stamp is in Thai with the translation as in the OP. My wife got a new passport this year and that red stamp was not transferred into the new passport.

[lopburi3]

You have been reporting for 15 years? And doing this in Bangkok? Was not aware anyone was doing that long ago as it was treated as an unenforced regulation until recently.

[daxbr]

Thanks for good info. If I am ever late, I'll just stop showing up.

[mojaco]

You have been reporting for 15 years? And doing this in Bangkok? Was not aware anyone was doing that long ago as it was treated as an unenforced regulation until recently.

Just looked, it had only been 12 years up to 2010 (and now I have been reporting for 14, not 15, years.) Here is the News Report at the time saying that that rule would become enforced (October 1998).

Politics : Immigration regulation to be re-implemented

Date: << 10/23/98>>

Publication: The Nation

Section: Politics

Immigration regulation to be re-implemented

THE Immigration Police would re-implement a regulation that requires

foreigners and their families holding any kind of visa to report their

whereabouts every 90 days, its cheif Pol Lt Gen Chidchai Wannasathit said

Thursday.

Chidchai said that the police would from now on intensify their

enforcement of the regulation after it had been ignored for a long time.

He dismissed a report that the police are taking steps to revoke it after

complaints from the foreign community in Thailand.

Section 37 (5) of the 1979 Immigration Act requires that all foreigners

and their families, who have completed their temporary 90-day stay, must

inform the immigration police of their whereabouts.

This requirement would be applied to all kinds of << visas>> -- transit,

tourist and non-immigrant. It will also be applicable to those holding

long-time << visas>> issued under special laws.

Failure to comply with the regulations will result in a fine of Bt200 for

each day a foreigner overstays.

''In the past, the police have not fully enforced the regulation. But

from now on we will re-enforce it,'' he said.

Edited August 7, 2012 by mojaco

[4evermaat]

the 90 day reports for extensions....can't these be done by mail?

[mojaco]

the 90 day reports for extensions....can't these be done by mail?

Yes they can in Bangkok for certain. I have mostly been doing that for the past 14 years. But I would think that the return envelope probably must show the same address that a person is claiming on the report. If you are reporting in some other district, some of the folks that report there could advise whether they accept mailed reports, and I am sure Lopburi3 would also know.

Edited August 7, 2012 by mojaco

[lopburi3]

At most locations mail reporting is allowed - also you may send someone else to do the reports.