I think I was scamed by immigration staff at don meung airport

[silopsist]

Is there still no charge for 1 day overstay,

Because if so I have just been scammed. They charged me 500 baht and didnt give reciept, when I asked for reciept the officer ignored what I said and continued asking me questions about my family, I had to ask 4 times and then was told you dont really need it do u, if u really want it I can, at this point I thought it best to leave it, for the sake of 500 baht not worth the trouble incase they get nasty, they do have a lot of power and could play dirty if u piss them off.

I did make it known as I walked out the office that the last time I overstayed by 1 day there was no charge, not sure if they understood but one of the three found it very funny so I assume he understood.

I have a new passport with just a couple of 30 day tourist visas in it so they must have seen me as easy prey, had they seen my old passport they would have seen cover to cover thai visas and no doubt chosen a different target.

[ubonjoe]

What does stamp in passport say?

Can you see 24 on it? Or 500?

[Mario2008]

1 day overstay is free. In general, when no receipt is given it is not an official fee.

[jrtmedic]

Just a couple of 30 day tourist visas? -----where where those obtained?

[Soutpeel]

Just a couple of 30 day tourist visas? -----where where those obtained?

pretty sure he means visa waivers...

[asdecas]

If you game the system then you can expect to be gamed in return at some point. Move on.

[Suradit69]

"...had they seen my old passport they would have seen cover to cover thai visas and no doubt chosen a different target."

Yes, I'm sure that would impress them no end.

Where are you getting all these visas? Or do you mean you've been given permission to enter based on visa exemption? I would think too many back-to-back entries and exits without a long stay visa might make you a greater target, especially if you're travelling to and from neighboring countries (??) from Don Mueang ... and maybe all that was in the computers to see despite the new passport ??

[OJAS]

"the last time I overstayed by 1 day there was no charge"

Is the OP a habitual 1-day overstayer, I wonder? If so, this might have been why he was relieved of 500 THB this time.

Either that or the Don Mueang Immigration Tea Club supplies are in dire need of replenishment

[Chicken George]

Thievs

[dddave]

The one day of grace at airports is a courtesy...not an entitlement. It is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Yes, agree with previous post: Those that "game" the system are always the first to cry "Scam!!"

I want to add: I normally enter/exit the Kingdom a minimum of 50 times a year because of work. I have never yet in 5 years had a unprofessional encounter with a Thai Immigration officer.

[dighambara]

If you game the system then you can expect to be gamed in return at some point. Move on.

However, as a Westerner, we all expect the system and proceedures to be exactly the same each and every time we pass thru.

[moe666]

Sounds like he finally got caught out and then wants to cry about it. Some things are just better to stay quiet about.

[moe666]

If you game the system then you can expect to be gamed in return at some point. Move on.

However, as a Westerner, we all expect the system and proceedures to be exactly the same each and every time we pass thru.

But, that's the fun about Thailand, you never know what you are going to get.

[dddave]

If you game the system then you can expect to be gamed in return at some point. Move on.

However, as a Westerner, we all expect the system and proceedures to be exactly the same each and every time we pass thru.

HaHaHa...Have you ever passed Immigration at LAX or Heathrow??? Talk about inconsistency's.

[merijn]

As said the first day is normally free but it is at the discretion of the officer and not a given right.

Looks like he just had bad luck as the officer regarded the fine as his pocket money as a receipt would be given otherwise.

[impulse]

I did make it known as I walked out the office that the last time I overstayed by 1 day there was no charge, not sure if they understood but one of the three found it very funny so I assume he understood.

Count yourself lucky they didn't wave you back to charge you for that old one, just to show you that they can. They have a sense of humor, too.

[harrry]

Next time it may take 4 hours to process the overstay and you may miss the aircraft. Would you have grounds for complaint? NO.

[Time Traveller]

Immigration staff are always right. You never win by pointing out their own mistakes.

[Time Traveller]

The one day of grace at airports is a courtesy...not an entitlement. It is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Yes, agree with previous post: Those that "game" the system are always the first to cry "Scam!!"

I want to add: I normally enter/exit the Kingdom a minimum of 50 times a year because of work. I have never yet in 5 years had a unprofessional encounter with a Thai Immigration officer.

How is it gaming the system by asking for a receipt? No receipt means no record of payment. That sounds pretty unprofessional to me, but maybe not in your own shady business world!

[chatette]

Strange that so many people who comment in the Thaivisa forum complain endlessly about corruption in Thailand yet seem to find fault with the OP and ridicule him/her for asking if he/she's fallen foul of a scam.

By not issuing a receipt, it's obvious the immigration officers put the money in their pockets. That makes them crooks, just the same as any govt official who abuses their authority for personal benefit.

While that may be more the norm than not in Thailand, it doesn't mean its acceptable or pardonable.

The OP was entitled to a receipt and should have asked for a supervisory officer if one weren't forthcoming. In fact, that would help deter such scams.

[I Like Thai]

I did make it known as I walked out the office that the last time I overstayed by 1 day there was no charge, not sure if they understood but one of the three found it very funny so I assume he understood.

If you want to know why he laughed, then watch this clip.

[harrry]

The OP had a choice. If he is so concerned about legality he should have departed while his stay was valid. He has in my view no grounds for complaint. I may have had some sympathy for him if he had said that he was delayed and had to go to court and so missed his plane but he did not. He broke the law and if he had not the rest would not have happened.

[jrtmedic]

The OP implies that he/she is a serial over-stayer and also seems to project an "attitude" !

The behaviour should be repeated

One day s/he will be seriously "inconvenienced" then ,maybe, a lesson will be learnt !

No sympathy from me

[wpcoe]

Before Suvarnabhumi opened, there used to be signs in the immigrations (exit) area at Don Muang stating that the overstay fee for a one-day overstay would be waived, so at least back then, it was "policy."

If those signs are still there, then maybe the OP has a beef. However, without those signs, I agree with the posters above saying "Suck it up, your luck ran out this time."

[transam]

Did you smile, were you wearing flip flops. ...........................

[yougivemebaby]

You want to play power games with the equivalent of a rent a cop?? You will lose. It's 500 baht. Not worth it at all. TIT. I had one take my business lounge pass and laughed in my face when I asked for it back. My mind went angry for a split second then I said TIT and quickly walked away.

[silopsist]

What a bunch of judgemental selfritcheous fools most of u are... I have had non b visas for over 10 years, I just sold my business and so had to cancel work permit and visa.

Im getting married so decided to use 30 day on arrival a few times before I could get a non o visa.

I was a day late due to food poisoning which cost me a small fortune due to having to buy new flights in addition to the 500 baht I was scammed, but that was my choice and I was happy to buy new tickets.

No one however deserves or should ever be scamed by officials at an international airport.

Some of you miseries really need to get out more, half the replies on this thread come from some obviously bitter and twisted souls.

U make me sound like a habitual overstayer when the truth is it's just a single day for a very valid reason.

Silopsist

[ubonjoe]

Again I ask what that little blue triange shaped stamp for over stay has on it?

If no stamp or it is a 24 hour stamp you paid tea money instead of a fine.

[merijn]

What a bunch of judgemental selfritcheous fools most of u are... I have had non b visas for over 10 years, I just sold my business and so had to cancel work permit and visa. Im getting married so decided to use 30 day on arrival a few times before I could get a non o visa. I was a day late due to food poisoning which cost me a small fortune due to having to buy new flights in addition to the 500 baht I was scammed, but that was my choice and I was happy to buy new tickets. No one however deserves or should ever be scamed by officials at an international airport. Some of you miseries really need to get out more, half the replies on this thread come from some obviously bitter and twisted souls. U make me sound like a habitual overstayer when the truth is it's just a single day for a very valid reason. Silopsist

No you where not scammed in the sense that you have to pay the overstay fine as it is not a rule that the first day is free.

They can wave this fine but it is not a guarantee or required.

But you where scammed in the sense that they did not provide you with a receipt and the fine went most probable in the pocket of the officer.

Either way you would lose your 500 Baht as you where in overstay.

[impulse]

You were on overstay. You paid the appropriate penalty for being on overstay. The office had the discretion to waive the fee. He did not.

You weren't scammed. You suffered the consequences of your actions.

Now, if the officer did not issue a receipt and pocketed the money, then the people of Thailand were scammed. But they seem to be okay with it. I haven't read any rants from any of them about that 500 baht.

Just occasionally I'd like to read about a guy who gets fined for littering, or for speeding, or for being in the wrong lane or for immigration violations when they had not actually done anything wrong. For that, I'd have a whole lot more compassion than for someone who rants about being picked on (but, oh, I did do it).

But I'm just a bitter old p*ick.