6 years overstay and about to fly back to the UK for 76 year old

[salapau]

Firstly you can now make a single booking with Thai Airways from Chiang Mai to Heathrow either on their website or through a travel shop, Transworld in Chiang Mai are very good agents. You can choose your flight times to suit and ensure a short transfer time in Bangkok without leaving the airport. Once you check your luggage in at Chiang Mai you pick it up at Heathrow, so no hastle at Bangkok. Tell the agent that the passenger is in a wheelchair and assistance will be laid on in all three airports.

As regards overstay, stay in Chiang Mai for a couple of days prior to departing and get this sorted out at immigration, there's an office very near the airport. Then you can take your friend to the Thai Airways check in at CM airport and leave with the knowledge that he will be well taken care of until he gets to arrivals at Heathrow.

[NancyL]

Salapau, have you known of CM Immigration office being willing to sort out a long overstay for someone who is leaving in just a few days, someone who already had a ticket booked? Maybe they won't want to make him pay another 1900 baht for a 7 day extension, but they've always told me just to bring someone to the airport and pay the overstay on the way out.

Also, you can book on Thai Airways direct at their office in the Old City near Three Kings Monument -- no need to have a credit card, as would be needed for an on-line booking.

I've had very bad experiences the few times I've had travel agents involved in plans for people on overstay. Best to book directly with the airlines, with airline personal face-to-face -- not over the internet for difficult situations, be it overstay and/or medical repatriations, in my experience.

But, you're right about Thai Airways straight thru from Chiang Mai to London -- very slick routing for someone who has medical problems and/or on overstay. They do a nice job. Very caring.

Edited April 19, 2014 by NancyL

[Alainpm]

So often the people who are the harshest and most judgmental are really the most ignorant, viewing someone's situation thru their own frame of reference; not taking the time to investigation how/why someone could have gotten himself into a circumstance where he deserves our compassion and assistance, not our scorn and rejection.

OK, let me walk you thru it. The OP's friend is age 76. Let's assume he came here at age 65. At that time, the basic UK state pension was 77 pounds/week and the exchange rate was 68 baht/pound. The exchange rate continued to rise and held about 70 baht/pound for about four years, so the fact that his pension was frozen wasn't too bad, at least not until the exchange rate started to fall in 2008. Then things got bad. It didn't help that the Thais changed the 30 day visa exempt entries to 15 day visa exempt about the same time.

What had seemed like a fun adventure for a man in his mid-sixties was probably becoming wearisome for someone age 70. When your monthly income is about 19000 baht/month (my guess for the man in 2008), then twice monthly border runs at 2500 baht a pop can make a big dent in your budget, not to mention the physical wear-and-tear of two all-day van trips per month. Is it no wonder he decided it just wasn't the effort any more?

And yes, as someone mentioned, it is a great strain to live this way. Afraid that you're going to be stopped and questioned, asked to show your passport. Always counting your baht and how many days remain until your next pension payment. Always looking for a good deal for food, clothing, transport, entertainment. Never knowing who to trust. Knowing you can't really go to the Embassy/Consulate/Royal British Legion to ask for help because you're in the country illegally. Knowing you're an object of scorn from your own people.

That's why I'm glad to see this thread being allowed to continue with some good concrete suggestions for avenues for assistance once this man returns to the U.K.

Great and useful post. Anyway, i understand that it is not easy (even for myself) not to judge those with judgmental views -

Edited April 19, 2014 by Alainpm

[Krataiboy]

Thanks for your kind words, plus I would like to add that he is on a UK pension of less than 15000 Baht a month and I think he will have even bigger problems surviving with this in the UK. And thanks for the info at CM check in,

His pension will be increased once he's able to contact the Pension Authorities as it will be unfrozen and he will be paid the current rate, not by much but providing he has paid the maximum contributions it would be in the region of £113 per week, so about 24,250 Baht every four weeks.

Assuming that it is, indeed, the UK State Pension that we are talking about here, he might be in for a sizeable increase if his pension has been frozen at the same level as it was when he originally claimed it 11 years ago at the age of 65. Furthermore, all subsequent annual increases to which he would have been entitled had he been living in the UK rather than Thailand will be retrospectively backdated in the form of a lump sum payment AFAIK.

I think this is correct, but I believe there is a qualifying period of six months' residence in the UK before any pension uplift or back payment is given. Worth checking with the Pensions website.

[seasia]

It`s a bit of a long shot but it might also be worth checking the 76 yr.old`s work history.

He may have had a job at some time that had a private pension built in, then maybe forgotten about ( he moved, no contact details etc )

It might sound a silly suggestion but it is worth a little time looking in to.

If he contacts Citizen`s Advice Bureau that I mentioned earlier and gets someone good, they should look in to this.

Small possibility of some extra money due that would make his late life a bit more comfortable.

[OJAS]

Assuming that it is, indeed, the UK State Pension that we are talking about here, he might be in for a sizeable increase if his pension has been frozen at the same level as it was when he originally claimed it 11 years ago at the age of 65. Furthermore, all subsequent annual increases to which he would have been entitled had he been living in the UK rather than Thailand will be retrospectively backdated in the form of a lump sum payment AFAIK.

I think this is correct, but I believe there is a qualifying period of six months' residence in the UK before any pension uplift or back payment is given. Worth checking with the Pensions website.

Nothing I can see regarding this point on the GOV.UK website, typically. In any event the OP's friend will need to call the International Pension Centre upon his return to the UK to report the change in his situation - see https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad

[true blue]

dont no if its been mentioned,but advise your friend to get registered with a doctor in uk asap.and get a medical check up.all the best for your friend,(there for the grace of god could happen to any one of us)

[harrry]

I do suggest you get a letter from a doctor that he can fly. I suggest that it may be best to see Dr Greg at Sripat for this as often Thai doctors are very conservative in this respect.

Arange the wheelchair service in advance.

Edited April 19, 2014 by harrry

[Aceicol]

I agree mate but this does not sound like a " voluntary " case.

I'm not bashing the OP's friend by the way.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Voluntarily is exactly what it is. Leaving and paying the fine is voluntarily doing it.

Getting caught means being stopped and having the overstay found by the police, immigration or some other official.

The poor fella must have been house bound for 6 years then?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Who cares. The old fella is enjoying the latter part of his life. So what a few man made rules mean he broke the law, but does it really make any real difference?

Good on him, I hope he enjoyed his time there. If he did 20,000 baht for six years appears like a small price to pay.

[seancbk]

Will the guy be allowed back in to Thailand if he's overstayed for so long?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

He could if he wanted to. There is no rule or regulation against it.

It's a weird one really, the amount some people pay in visas over long period of times must total more than 20,000 baht.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yes, i sometimes wonder if it would not be worthwhile to take the risk, put aside the amount needed if caught, and to hell with these stupid life threatening, expensive visa runs.

I've done 3 of those life threatening border runs from Bangkok to Laos and swore that I would never voluntarily travel anywhere by road outside of Bangkok unless I was paying the driver not to drive like a lunatic.

I fly to Macau or Hong Kong every 30 days, see family and friends for a few days then fly back to Bangkok.

Despite the cost of flights etc I would never consider risking a longterm overstay because the risk of getting caught is just way too high.

It may seem like low risk and low punishment, but just wait until you get caught and have to deal with the IDC (immigration detention center).

[samjaidee]

Many similar reports in TV already. Believe it or not.

I guess it happens to elderly people more often, simply because they are alone and helpless, maybe handicapped or sick.

At some time they give up the bureaucratic struggle.

Passport at CM: he will have to produce his passport at the gate check-in for identity check to the airline/airport staff.

But they only check the ID page.

Thanks for your kind words, plus I would like to add that he is on a UK pension of less than 15000 Baht a month and I think he will have even bigger problems surviving with this in the UK. And thanks for the info at CM check in,

Wolfgang

Wolfgang, you'll be pleased to know that when he returns to the UK his pension will be brought back in line with current rates. It was frozen when he arrived in Thailand but I assure you it will go up when he returns. It happened to my father so I speak from experience.

[NativeSon360]

As he's not booked through from Chiang Mai to London it's a domestic flight to Bangkok so he wont touch Immigration.

He will need to pay his overstay fine of 20,000 Baht as he leaves the country through Suvarnabhumi, he will need to leave himself plenty of time though I understand the procedure is pretty quick.

The only thing he needs to watch out for is being stopped for any reason and asked to produce his passport before he gets to Suvarnabhumi. If an overstay is noticed by the police he could, theoretically, be arrested and hauled before a judge.

Great, and useful advice, for a change. Cheers,

[Tayida]

I sorry for your friend i

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[Tayida]

I sorry for your friend health problem,but I want to spend a world about why I read every time about overstaying years and years and just think that 20.000 baht will solve the problem.But what happen to our thinking when someone will be caught before get to the airport?

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[NancyL]

Realistically, the chances of a 76 year old man in poor health being detained and put into IDC are slim-to-none. The Thai authorities don't want to be responsible for his health care. Typically someone arrested on overstay is held in local lockup for while before things can be sorted to get him on the path to IDC. They don't want anything to deal with him "on their watch".

But he is vulnerable to exploitation by the police if they know he has money. This fellow's pension was just 15,000 baht/month and the local cops probably knew that and knew just how much they could extract from him. They probably knew exactly when he received his pension payments each month and he may have had to pay a few "fines" in the past if he was the sort who drank or otherwise drew attention to himself when he had money in his pocket.

If there's news flying around his neighborhood that friends are helping him out -- that someone has bought his ticket and is paying his fine, then yes, he's vulnerable if it's known now that he has access to friends with more money.

That's why it's often a good practice to move someone to a "safe location" when it's decided it's time to repatriate them out of Thailand. It's amazing what can happen in the week or so it can take to make arrangements to send someone home once a source of funding has been identified. Not just crooked local cops, but ex-girlfriends, people who think they're owed money, etc can all come forward thinking they should make a claim to the man's sudden windfall before he goes.

Edited April 20, 2014 by NancyL

[Benmart]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

I believe advice was asked on how to resolve this overstay and not to be reminded of the illegality or immoraility of the violation.

[Benmart]

No malice intended, but it never ceases to amaze me how people knowingly and persistently

flaunting the immigration laws of this country and than seeking advice how to get out of it....

I've yet to meet anyone that has not broken a law at some point in their life. I'm not in a position to point a finger at someone about obeying they law, regardless of how minor or major.

I read the post and count my blessings that it isn't me.

[enuff said]

.

Who's flaunting? You go to the airport and pay a fee. That's how its done. Am I crazy?

~

[Chivas]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

[MikeandDow]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

I feel sorry for you, you do not have any humanity in you bones, IT IS IMMIGRATION LAW THAT THE MAX FINE IS 20.000 Baht, the guy has broke the law and now is going to pay the fine end of story, but bitter people like you complain and complain what would you do hang the guy at the end of a rope go get a life and don't post if you do not have any helpful info.

[Chivas]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

I feel sorry for you, you do not have any humanity in you bones, IT IS IMMIGRATION LAW THAT THE MAX FINE IS 20.000 Baht, the guy has broke the law and now is going to pay the fine end of story, but bitter people like you complain and complain what would you do hang the guy at the end of a rope go get a life and don't post if you do not have any helpful info.

No ones bitter Buddy and where thats come from God only knows. Why dont you actually answer the point I made in my post instead.....?? Because you have zero possible answer to it thats why.........!

[IMA_FARANG]

First of all, as much as possible book BOTH the tickets as "requires assistance - wheel chair required".

If possible do this on BOTH the domestic flight and the international flight.

The advantage of this is that he will be met on arrival with a wheelchair, and even with his overstay, they will wheel him to the FAST TRACK priority immigration.

Therefore very little likelihood that any police will interfere with him, even the Thai police are unlikely to stop an elderly man in a wheelchair.

I know, I often travel at Swampy with a wheelchair. No extra charge ... the airline will provide someone to push the wheelchair.

Since he has an overstay they will wheel him to the overstay desk, where he should pay the fine for overstay.

If YOU are acting as his escort, then you may be able to go through the priority fast track queue as his escort also.

And you will be also given priority early boarding of the flight due to the wheelchair.

Just make SURE he (or someone that escorts him) has the money for the overstay fine.

And, if you are not a fool, it would be a very good idea to have a reasonable tip ready for the person that pushes the wheelchair.

A tip will make things go so much more smoothly that way,

As the saying goes, "Don't P--s into the soup pot today, if you expect to have soup for dinner tomorrow".

[dutchisaan]

Salapau, have you known of CM Immigration office being willing to sort out a long overstay for someone who is leaving in just a few days, someone who already had a ticket booked? Maybe they won't want to make him pay another 1900 baht for a 7 day extension, but they've always told me just to bring someone to the airport and pay the overstay on the way out.

Also, you can book on Thai Airways direct at their office in the Old City near Three Kings Monument -- no need to have a credit card, as would be needed for an on-line booking.

I've had very bad experiences the few times I've had travel agents involved in plans for people on overstay. Best to book directly with the airlines, with airline personal face-to-face -- not over the internet for difficult situations, be it overstay and/or medical repatriations, in my experience.

But, you're right about Thai Airways straight thru from Chiang Mai to London -- very slick routing for someone who has medical problems and/or on overstay. They do a nice job. Very caring.

Nancy, one of my best friends is a high ranking police officer in Chaigmai. His tennis buddy works at the immigration in Changmai and is a nice guy. Two years ago I needed assistance with a immigration problem I had and he helped me with it by contacting my local immigration office. I will call my friend tommorow morning, it to late now, and see what can be done for the old gent.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bino]

If so, they are only around 2k a trip, how is that possibly expensive??? They are as cheap as chips? What would expect to pay? 500 baht? Unbelievable. Why do so many people here want something for nothing?

2000 Might be cheap as chips in your terms, but if you are having to pay this bi-weekly and are surviving on a 12-15000 pension payment... it might be the difference of eating or not eating that month. When you consider that giving up a huge slice of your budget for an uncomfortable day in a minibus that is potentially dangerous, it is easy to see how it happens.

Do the math - it isn't rocket science.

[larsjohnsson]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

You don't have any humanity for an old and sick man.

And if you demand that he should comply with the immigration law. Then you should comply and respect the penalties the Thai law have. And not demant a change for harder penalties.

I'm really glad that I'm not your old father.....

[Chivas]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

You don't have any humanity for an old and sick man.

And if you demand that he should comply with the immigration law. Then you should comply and respect the penalties the Thai law have. And not demant a change for harder penalties.

I'm really glad that I'm not your old father.....

Rubbish nothing to do with being an old man............If you fancy back trawling my Posts you'll find plenty on the same subject covering all of us of any age. Some of you guys just do not get the implications and prefer to bury your heads in the sand.

3 months overstay and Persona non Grata. Try overstaying in the UK and see what happens..........Welcome back Sir next time !!

[dutchisaan]

I bow to the Moderators knowledge that it appears 20,000 will cure the problem but theres something seriously wrong if that is the case. Bad health or not some just treat immigration law with impunity

None of your bloody business really, is it?

Of course it is.......Why should I and probably 99% of the readership here comply with Immigration Law in every way and yet six year overstayers can walk away with a 20,000 Fine.........Anyone who overstays for more than 3 months (without a Hospital Letter explaining why) should be blacklisted or persona non grata indefinately

I cannot believe that anyone can't see the sense in that statement. There is NO excuse available....

You don't have any humanity for an old and sick man.

And if you demand that he should comply with the immigration law. Then you should comply and respect the penalties the Thai law have. And not demant a change for harder penalties.
I'm really glad that I'm not your old father.....

Rubbish nothing to do with being an old man............If you fancy back trawling my Posts you'll find plenty on the same subject covering all of us of any age. Some of you guys just do not get the implications and prefer to bury your heads in the sand.

3 months overstay and Persona non Grata. Try overstaying in the UK and see what happens..........Welcome back Sir next time !!

I realy hope for you that you don't fall on bad times, but if you do please don't come posting on tv. I agree that the old man broke the law and it not good to do this. By paying his fine for overstay the matter is over and done. This is Thailand, not the UK.



Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Edited April 21, 2014 by ubonjoe
fixed quotes (space before and after [/quote] needed)

[samran]

How did the old bloke go? Does he have support back in the UK?

[harrry]

How did the old bloke go? Does he have support back in the UK?

Careful with that OLD adjective.

[WolfgangGiesen]

How did the old bloke go? Does he have support back in the UK?

Hello and the latest news,

my friend went yesterday by plane from Chiang May to Swampy with BKK Air, no question asked in CM. At Swampy he cleared his overstay and all went quick, he phoned me from the waiting area after check in and he was relieved that all was over. Thank you very much for all the positive input and help.

Wolfgang

PS. He has a few friends in Cornwall to get him started there and might be better of there then here.