Problem With Immigration

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Hi,

as the subject suggests, I have a problem with Immigration.

This has been a long drawn out process with multiple problems but we have finally got to the last step.

I was arrested and charged with smuggling and avoiding TAX on cartons of cigarettes (not for sale, just for friends) purchased at a border crossing.

Sentence has been passed and I paid the fine of...wait for it....less than 100 baht (I even have a receipt)!

I have lived in Thailand for some years so have a few contacts which have helped and the police were holding my passport but I managed to get it back today.

The problem came at the Immigration border when my name was flagged on their computers saying I couldn't leave Thailand. The immigration official said the court had forgotten to delete the flag.

I phoned the police station and they picked me up and the officer's say I have to leave Thailand back to my home country but I should be OK to come back.

Originally I thought it was the police who were causing the problem as they have not always been cooperative and keep threatening to send me back home but it seems the problem does lie with immigration.

The police are trying to help now but they can't fix this flag.

I have searched this forum continually while I've had this problem and it has been a great help but cannot find anything specific to this.

My question is, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this. Is this my name on the black list!!

The police think the only way to delete the flag is to go home and come back.

Thanks for your help.

G.

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Thanks a lot to visarunner who provided an excellent number.