3 British citizens arrested for overstaying on Phuket

[shunima]

Two reasons I can think of why people stop doing visa runs:

1. No money. I know a guy here in Phuket who lives on THB 16,000 a month that he receives from abroad. He cannot afford visa runs.

2. Foreign authorities might be looking for a person and he is afraid his name is on some list. These people do not take the risk of being arrested at the border doing a visa run.

Don't say that one of these reasons apply to the British guys. Do not know them nor their backgrounds.

Allow me a blind guess... he quite enjoys drinking beer though, right? If the answer is yes than case is closed.

[anto]

How come they look so happy?!

Maybe its a photo that the police found in their Condo /Hotel .

[anto]

I can't believe we went 5 pages without someone spotting the real story here:

Three foreign men, all from the United Kingdom, were arrested late last week for overstaying on the island.

The first arrests came on Thursday afternoon (September 19), when Police visited a house in Cherng Talay and arrested two Englishmen -- Paul Wild, aged 49, and Liam Arron Quinn, aged 37.

Mr Quinn's permit to stay expired on January 9, 2013, and Mr Wild's expired on May 2011. Both were taken to the Cherng Talay Police Station for processing.

The next arrest was Alex Good, aged 27 and from Ireland.

He may come from Northern Ireland ,which is still part of the UK (the united kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland )

[Krataiboy]

I agree with clockman. The cops, the media, are fascinated with high profile trivia. If I have to read another 'royal baby' story I will puke, but maybe no, as someone would post a pic on their facebook. Anyway, these guys broke the law, they deserve a fine, deportation, and a talking to, but are they bad people? Probably not. I read today that the Indon gov is embarking on a massive child immunisation program. How about the Thai gov doing the same? That would be worthy news, one we could feel good about.

Thailand already has a massive child immunisation programme. Why don't you check before sounding off?

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

Edited September 22, 2013 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

You're abusing the system. One of these days that loophole will be closed, so for the moment you should be glad it exists. Just as one of these days the ED visa loophole will be closed.

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

You're abusing the system. One of these days that loophole will be closed, so for the moment you should be glad it exists. Just as one of these days the ED visa loophole will be closed.

I believe the Ed Visa has already been tightened up up, a lot, with raids on schools etc. The 1 year Ed Visa was taking money away from the visa run industry.

I take your point that, technically, I am "abusing" the system, but that is only because there is no "system" which caters for me, and many others like me.

If they ever did close the loop hole. Eg. only allowed two 60 day tourist visas per year - I would leave for 6 months, but how many would simply overstay? I would suggest, thousands.

So, once again, my point is, between those that would chose to abide by the law, like myself, and those that would chose to break the law, by overstaying, the Thai Government and the whole visa run industry, would lose hundreds of millions of baht.

"The system" is designed to make money, not regulate immigration, hence, they keep letting me, and others like me, continually renew our tourist visas and to live in Thailand on them.

Edited September 22, 2013 by NamKangMan

[stevenl]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

You're abusing the system. One of these days that loophole will be closed, so for the moment you should be glad it exists. Just as one of these days the ED visa loophole will be closed.

<snip> "The system" is designed to make money, not regulate immigration, hence, they keep letting me, and others like me, continually renew our tourist visas and to live in Thailand on them.

The system has changed a lot the last 10 years, and will keep changing in the future, to eliminate the mazes in the net. So no, they will not keep letting you and others in to make money. The government does not care about that.

[robertson468]

How difficult is it to do a visa run? The lazy bastards

Wrong question, not how difficult, but how dangerous, especially by minibus. I feel for those who have to embark on one of these life threatening journeys every three months or what ever. Thank God I have a retirement visa.

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

You're abusing the system. One of these days that loophole will be closed, so for the moment you should be glad it exists. Just as one of these days the ED visa loophole will be closed.

<snip> "The system" is designed to make money, not regulate immigration, hence, they keep letting me, and others like me, continually renew our tourist visas and to live in Thailand on them.

The system has changed a lot the last 10 years, and will keep changing in the future, to eliminate the mazes in the net. So no, they will not keep letting you and others in to make money. The government does not care about that.

Name a few changes in the last 10 years. The only one I can think of was getting a 15 day visa exemption stamp for overland border crossings, instead of a 30 day day visa exemption stamp.

Once again, all this done was make more money out of the expats living near land borders, and the many backpackers that now needed to buy a visa as 15 days wasn't long enough to continue their travel around Thailand.

[ThaiHerbs]

If you get deported for overstay are you ever allowed back in the country?

Yes you are allowed back in.maximum fine 20,000 Baht I believe.

I have lived here 5 years now, a Canadian currently on retirement visa. Over the years I have listened to several expats bragging about not updating their visa because it will only cost them 20,000B to pay for their overstay.

Not always true.

A fellow I know (not all that well) a few weeks back stated to me his visa expired well over one year ago and he would just pay the 20,000B when he wants to leave.

The past couple weeks he has been crying the blues because someone (another expat) reported his overstay to the tourist police (because of some disagreement they had over a woman I think). Well, so far this guy has been extorted (plus in and out of court & the police station) for over 60,000B with NO RECEIPTS. He is shit scared and absolutely no idea what is coming next. He doesn't even know if he can leave as the police are being continually vague, and asking for more money.

Play the game if you want but the law is very clear and IMO very fair.

Doug

[NamKangMan]

How difficult is it to do a visa run? The lazy bastards

Wrong question, not how difficult, but how dangerous, especially by minibus. I feel for those who have to embark on one of these life threatening journeys every three months or what ever. Thank God I have a retirement visa.

I fly, so the taxi to and from the Phuket Airport, and the exit tax, are just about the cost of the flights.

Visa runs are a big money industry - all over Thailand.

[stevenl]

You're abusing the system. One of these days that loophole will be closed, so for the moment you should be glad it exists. Just as one of these days the ED visa loophole will be closed.

<snip> "The system" is designed to make money, not regulate immigration, hence, they keep letting me, and others like me, continually renew our tourist visas and to live in Thailand on them.

The system has changed a lot the last 10 years, and will keep changing in the future, to eliminate the mazes in the net. So no, they will not keep letting you and others in to make money. The government does not care about that.

Name a few changes in the last 10 years. The only one I can think of was getting a 15 day visa exemption stamp for overland border crossings, instead of a 30 day day visa exemption stamp.

Once again, all this done was make more money out of the expats living near land borders, and the many backpackers that now needed to buy a visa as 15 days wasn't long enough to continue their travel around Thailand.

The changes done are done to get rid of undesirables.

Many changes over the last years, and lately also much more strict application of the existing rules. Have a look in the TV forum about Thai visa.

[Benmart]

honestly when you like at their big smile, so you can realize that even caught, overstay is not a big deal at all.

Sometimes a smile is an involuntary reaction to stress or embarrassment. It can also be used to defuse a potential confrontation. I used to smile at people when writing them a citation that would cost them USD $600.00 to $1,500. A big deal? To some, yes.

[NamKangMan]

@ stevenl

Well, I did ask you to name just a few of the changes in the last 10 years, because I could only think of one.

[oops]

There was a time if a child was born, and the father was a foreigner, it was a bit of a run around to get Thai citizenship for that child. Believe it or not things were worse many years ago.

Yeah, your right. Now you just have to hire an attorney and take the state to court. So with thousands of baht and a strong fight you may get a birth certificate. We should do the same to Thai's that have children in our country.

My good friends " neither are Thai" have lived here for a long time. The father employees many Thai's at his company and has for many years. Even on the brink of closing down he kept paying them

and I don't mean just a few, I believe there were over 20 workers. Him and his wife have two children, both born here in Thailand. The doctor told her both times, he cannot issue a birth certificate.

This is the part of Thailand that discuss me. If a child was born in my country irregardless of where the parents where born they would get a birth certificate.

[sbk]

derogatory comment generalizing an entire nation has been removed.

Read the forum rules, thanks

7) Not to post slurs or degrading comments directed towards any group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

[Zippidy Heho]

Hope they have 20k baht and enough for an immediate plane ticket.

Wonder if they also have to pay a 'transportation fee' for the ride from Phuket to BKK. Can't imagine the Thais being too happy about their department having to pay to escort foreigners half way across the country every couple of days.

[paz]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

Thailand will not change the system, there is no interest in doing so. They have created and industry and will keep it as it as long it works. With as much they hassle or even deport Westerners, they know the majority will come back to spend more money. That is why they smile in the process of making you miserable.

Think instead about the illegal Asians of even some Africans that are never arrested. There is no money to be extracted from them, and they would occupy a bunk in the IDS indefinitely. And of course, it would be bad for their Thai employer that exploits them with illegal, underpaid work that Thai doesn't want to perform, for $60 saving per month. That is fine with the Thai people, or do you think they give a crap about us and out Visas ?

The system is built with a logicality that may escape us, but is there. If you have no money, don't worry about Visa. If you have plenty, you won't care neither. But when you are in the middle, you will be milked long and hard.

Edited September 22, 2013 by paz

[falkan]

If you get deported for overstay are you ever allowed back in the country?

Yes you are allowed back in.maximum fine 20,000 Baht I believe.

I have lived here 5 years now, a Canadian currently on retirement visa. Over the years I have listened to several expats bragging about not updating their visa because it will only cost them 20,000B to pay for their overstay.

Not always true.

A fellow I know (not all that well) a few weeks back stated to me his visa expired well over one year ago and he would just pay the 20,000B when he wants to leave.

The past couple weeks he has been crying the blues because someone (another expat) reported his overstay to the tourist police (because of some disagreement they had over a woman I think). Well, so far this guy has been extorted (plus in and out of court & the police station) for over 60,000B with NO RECEIPTS. He is shit scared and absolutely no idea what is coming next. He doesn't even know if he can leave as the police are being continually vague, and asking for more money.

Play the game if you want but the law is very clear and IMO very fair.

Doug

touristpolice dont deal with overstay, immigration does!

they just playing with him, tell fly out on a visa run to KL, he pay his fine and get a visa again..

he paid 60k haha thats just retarded!!!

hahah

[paz]

touristpolice dont deal with overstay, immigration does!

they just playing with him, tell fly out on a visa run to KL, he pay his fine and get a visa again..

he paid 60k haha thats just retarded!!!

hahah

Many guys here have bigger mouths than balls. Also their butts is quite large and shaped like a barstool seat.

But of course the Humanity and Values Nobel prize of 2013 goes to the guy that ratted on him.

Edited September 22, 2013 by paz

[ericthai]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

I dont see where you are abusing the system if you are staying in Thailand and not working. If you are working then yes you are abusing the system.

The idea of the short term tourist visa is not for the reason of making money nor to create business. The idea of the short term Tourist visa is for the reason they are trying to stop people staying here and working illegally.

I agree with you there should be a change to create a visa or change the terms on the retirement visa to a lower age. So as long as you can prove you have money to live in Thailand without working then you should be able to be issued a visa. I've been living and working here for almost 20 years, during that time I have seen many changes. Some have come and gone others remain. The Thai govt as we know is not a fast moving machine and it's slow to adapt. Like I said there main issue is people staying here on a tourist visa or visa exempt and working. They dont realize that some younger guys (under 50) can actually have enough money to retire or has some residual income coming in that they dont need to work.

I do believe the crack down on over stayers is a good one. If someone is over staying chances are they either dont have the money to do a visa run and therefore dont really have the money to live here and need to go back home and get a job or they may be trying to hide from threats back home and each time they exit and return is a chance that things back home has caught up to them and immigration will stop them. Last they are just lazy and dont want to do a visa run. I know allot of people complain about the visa run. I have done my fair share and I dont think they are that bad. Especially if you are staying here not working what is the big issue to do a visa run. What would it interfere with? their day of drinking? Granted there are some valid reasons for someone to overstay a few days, maybe 1 week. I know in the past I have overstayed a few days due to delays on projects I was working on before I moved to Thailand. Sometimes people get lost on days etc. But to overstay by months, years that is intentional and those guys should be tracked down.

[Moouan]

overstaying ones visa in any country is a stupid thing to do

throw them out ,confiscate their belongings /property

and dont [stupidly ] let them return

over staying ones visa is a real pi ss take ,and totally disrespectful to your host country

thailand doesn't need these people

Lets gouge out their eyes and impale them on a stake!

Calm down for Christs sake, they overstayed a visa yes, they broke the law yes, but they are not convicted drug dealers or kiddie fiddlers.

[Moouan]

Why wont Thailand give some concessions to clear cut cases. For example. If you have been married to a Thai and resided in Thailand for 5 years minimum on a marriage visa, and, or support a Thai child from this marriage, why cant you jointly/solely own your family home without prejudiced legislation. There are many cases in this country where there is no excuse for the Thai government to discriminate against foreigners.

Totally irrelevant post on a thread about immigration violation by tourists and where do you get the 5 year requirement from? I have been employed here for almost 20 years paying taxes in full and own my own condo. I do not feel discriminated against either under the law or in my day to day dealings with people and if I did feel that way I would probably have left years ago. If your biggest complaint about Thailand is that you can't legally own land either jointly with your wife or solely then why not take the family back to your country of origin where you can buy a house in your own name then give it to your wife when you cheat on her or otherwise end up in a divorce.

Pretty harsh post coming from a guys who's condo sits on at least 51% Thai owned land when at least 51% of the condos in the block, at Thai law, must be Thai owned. Your condo sits on Thai owned land and you can be out voted by the Thai's at anytime.

Anyway, in Vietnam, if you are married to a Vietnamese National - you can get a 5 year mulit-enty visa. I would have thought something lke this would have made things more user friendly for Thailand expats as well.

In Malaysia, under the "Malaysia My Second Home" scheme for expats, they are offering 10 year multi-entry visas and some of the most liberal foreign ownership of land laws in the region.

In Cambodia, you can get a 1 year multi-entry business visa, renewable without leaving the country. (that business visa allows you to work - that includes serving beer in your own bar)

Burma is offering 50 year land use leases, as opposed to Thailand''s 30 years.

I am currently unsure what Laos is offering.

Some view the visa laws here racist, I view them as outdated and uncompetitive.

As mentioned prviously, they are designed just to be a constant and never ending money spinning industry.

so leave!

'so leave'................pathetic!

[Moouan]

Thailand is now exagerating the application of law for foreigners. One day overstay = 500 ThB fine. This applies also to tourists which bring money in the country. How many Thais are living in European and other Western countries without a legal permit to stay and without work permit? At least several thousands. I know personally of many cases whereThais travel to Europe with a tourist visa (no work permitted) and then work illegally, in restaurants, brothels, etc.

No country in the West has such dramatical laws to fine the people from the first day of overstay like Thailand. Western countries should protest against this narrow-minded view or apply the same rules, which means that several Airbus A380 will be filled with deported Thai people staying illegally in Western countries. In addition, even husbands of a Thai wife have to fulfill all this bureaucratic visa requirements, which is simply a shame.

Previously I wanted to get residence in Thailand, but I have changed my mind, I will get it in Malaysia, much better conditions for foreigners and more welcome. In Malaysia you stay 3 months visa-free, and getting residence is easy.

byeeeeeeeee

'byeeeeeeeee'......................pathetic again!

[KRaymond]

Why are they smiling? Is it so funny to be caught overstaying for so long time and get deported to own country with a lot of fine?

Stupid

[stevenl]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

I dont see where you are abusing the system if you are staying in Thailand and not working.<snip>

Living here on a tourist visa is abusing the system.

[KunMatt]

@ stevenl

My point is, times have changed, and Thailand would do well to review, and overhaul, their outdated visa system.

Why should I be "glad" I'm living here on tourist visas? Like I said, they have purposely created a whole money spinning industry around these old visa laws. Many benefit from it, financially.

My question is, after 60 days, why can't I go to the immigration office in Phuket Town and pay a fee and extend for another 60 days, instead of 30 days? The same policy is in place, why not just extend the time frame and fee involved?

The Government gets their money, directly, and I do not have to leave the country, just to come back the next day.

What does the current system achieve, other than to provide employment for taxis, exit tax for flights, and employment for dangerous buses/minivans, and overwork the staff in neighbouring country Thai Embassies, which are now taking as long as 2 to 3 days to process. That's also a loss of consumption for Thailand in this time.

I've never overstayed, and continute to do my visa runs, but it's a ridiculous system.

Just look at all the dodgy "Thai language schools" set up as Education Visa factories.

I dont see where you are abusing the system if you are staying in Thailand and not working.<snip>

Living here on a tourist visa is abusing the system.

Well that's what I do too. It's not my fault the current system is irrational and unfair and leaves me no other option to be here and support my children.

[gtm2k]

British, Irish expats in Phuket arrested by Immigration

Phuket Gazette

Paul Wild (left) and Aaron Quinn pictured at Phuket Immigration after their arrest at a house in Soi Pasak, Cherng Talay, on Thursday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Three Phuket expats from Ireland and England will be deported from Thailand after being caught in Cherng Talay for overstaying.

Officers moved in and arrested Alex Good, 27, from Ireland, at a restaurant near Cherng Talay Police Station at 3:30pm yesterday, said Lt Col Chidchanok Sakornyen of Phuket Immigration.

“We had been following him for a while as we had been informed he was staying illegally in the country,” Col Chidchanok explained.

“We asked him for his passport. He said he didn’t have it with him. We took him to the immigration office in Phuket Town and checked his details on our database.

“We found he entered Thailand on May 4 through Ranong Immigration and was allowed to stay until May 18,” he said.

The arrest of Mr Good follows the arrests of two English expats – Aaron Liam Quinn, 37, and Paul Wild, 49 – at a house in Soi Pasak, Cherng Talay, on Thursday.

“Mr Quinn entered Thailand at Phuket Airport August 12, 2012 and was allowed to stay until January 9, 2013,” explained Col Chidchanok.

“Mr Wild entered the country at Ranong Immigration and was allowed to stay until May 27, 2011,” he added.

All three men confessed to overstaying their visas.

“The three of them have been charged with illegally staying in the country and will be sent to Bangkok to be deported,” Col Chidchanok said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/British-Irish-expats-in-Phuket-arrested-by-Immigration-22304.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-21

pure jubilation on their faces , sporting that cute smile ! o_O

[Zumteufel]

Why the f... don't they just do the required run. Sigh.

I think you lack experience and imagination..... perhaps the realisation that repeated long distance and high speed, visa dash and backs will eventually result in a collision.!.... convince some individuals that the risk of being caught on overstay is actually the better option, considering that paying 'The Fine' will remedy and normalise the situation.

I do not speak from experience, just repeating the casual 'bar talk ' one is accustomed to hearing.

Personally I don't think that having to constantly look over your shoulder and the hassle of disruption to status quo is worth it.... but then I don't need to do the border runs...

Lack of experience and imagination? I've been living here for 6 years now, been doing (still am) my share of visa runs with bus - from Phuket to Penang as well, which is a long trip. The key to those trips is finding a tour company you trust, whose drivers actually don't drive like madmen.

Personally I don't find it worth it to potentially jeopardize my work permit/company here with repeated long term overstays, but I know there's lots of peple around in a more relaxed situation than mine.

Believe it or not, I actually semi enjoy those trips, as it's an opportunity to get some reading done in peace and quiet.