Desperately need some advice!

I am a UK citizen (Thai + UK parentage). Arrived in Thailand at the end of January 2014 on a 28 day visa waiver.

I started studying Thai fulltime from day 1 of arriving.

I enrolled with Chulalongkorn and obtained a 3 month ed visa.

About 80% into the course I decided to leave Chula as I didn't find the course particularly great and decided to continue studying at my regular language school.

Unfortunately my language school is registered as a business so it's not able to help me obtain an ED visa. As such as my 3-month ED visa came to an end I crossed on land to Laos and obtained a double entry 2 tourist visa.

I was stamped back into Thailand and the first part expired on 14th August. Unfortunately I only just realised that I've overstayed a week.

Please could someone advise the best course of action?

Obviously I need to leave the country, but to where? Do I need to fly or can I cross by land? How long do I need to wait before coming back in? Will I still be able to re-enter or will they invalidate my visa?

I think once back I will have to change language schools and apply for an ED visa and then pursue getting my citizenship via my Thai father.

Advice greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

You could of done a 30 day extension for your entry.

You could go to immigration tomorrow to try and get the 30 day extension and pay the overstay.

With a short overstay you could do a border crossing but it would be best to it by air to use your 2nd entry.

If you have proof that you are Thai, (such as a Thai father), you can get a 1 year extension at immigration.

You could of done a 30 day extension for your entry.

You could go to immigration tomorrow to try and get the 30 day extension and pay the overstay.

With a short overstay you could do a border crossing but it would be best to it by air to use your 2nd entry.

Thank you ubonjoe. Hmm yeah I really wish I had gone and got the extension, I just didn't realise how much time had passed already :-(

I will go and visit immigration tomorrow and hope for the best possible outcome.

If you have proof that you are Thai, (such as a Thai father), you can get a 1 year extension at immigration.

Hmm that is very interesting, I've never heard of such an option.

I have all the documents and such but I went to the เขต to be entered on the tabien bahn of a relative and they wouldn't allow it. Apparently I need my parent's British marriage certificate translated and my father to be present, as well as some other forms to be filled out. I suspect it'll be the same story at immigration?

If you have proof that you are Thai, (such as a Thai father), you can get a 1 year extension at immigration.

Hmm that is very interesting, I've never heard of such an option.

I have all the documents and such but I went to the เขต to be entered on the tabien bahn of a relative and they wouldn't allow it. Apparently I need my parent's British marriage certificate translated and my father to be present, as well as some other forms to be filled out. I suspect it'll be the same story at immigration?

You would just need proof of your Thai nationality. Your birth certificate and proof of your Thai parent's nationality.

Do you have a Thai birth certificate?

From the current and upcoming new police order.

2.23 In the case of a person who used to have Thai nationality or whose parent is or was of Thai nationality visiting relatives or returning to his or her original homeland:

Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year.

(1) Must have evidence that the applicant used to have Thai nationality or that his her parent is or was of Thai nationality.

Document required.

3. Copy of documents proving that the applicant used to have Thai nationality or that his/her parent is or was of Thai nationality (In the case that the evidence of having Thai nationality is inconsistent with the information shown in the passport, the applicant must submit a confirmation letter from the embassy or consulate, or document verifying the applicant as being the same individual, such as an affidavit from a reliable person.)

I have a Thai birth certificate issued by the Thai embassy in London.

I also have copies of my father's passport, birth certificate, tabien bahn and id card.

I'll take everything with me tomorrow to immigration. Thank you so much for the valuable information!

Just wanted to say thank you so much TerryLH and ubonjoe, your advice has been a life saver!

Today I went to the immigration office at Jaeng Wattana. I had to pay 4,000 baht for my 8 day overstay and 1,900 baht for the extension of stay permit. I had to show my Thai birth certificate (original copy) and give them photocopies of my passport, birth certificate, father's passport and ID card; as well as the standard application form with photo. After a long wait they gave me back my passport with a 1 year permit to stay. I have to report to immigration every 90 days (the person who processed my application didn't think I would have to, but upon collection of my passport they said I still need to report).

This is a far better result than I would have ever anticipated before posting here. I was almost certain I'd have to do a visa run again out of the country and possibly have to wait some time before reentering due to the stricter regulations. So today has been a huge relief, thanks again guys!

Now that you have a one-year extension, be sure to get a Re-Entry Permit prior to any travel outside Thailand. Otherwise, your extension will be canceled on return.

Mac

Good news but not surprised.

Now you should look into to getting entered into a house book and then a Thai ID card so that you can get a Thai passport.