On Max Overstay, No Passport, Law Troubles

[ericthai]

Hi

Your friend is in urgent need of consular help.

You are correct, that Immigration and the Royal Thai Police can at times be ambiguous and ambivalent about how these issues potentially will affect a foreigner.

Make no mistake about it, you friend is in trouble. At the very least they will not allow him back in Thailand and at the worst he could end up in a Thai prison.

Because the 'interpretations' of regulations differ from Immigration office to Immigration office, I suggest you immediately contact your friend's country of origin Embassy and ask for intervention and representation.

Please do not rely on the hearsay of one or more individuals.

Make sure your friend and yourself get as much information as possible from Immigration about the process (see the officers down at the main office at Immigration Division 1, Chaeng Wattana), so you are fully informed of any potential contingencies that may arise from his current situation.

But first, go and talk to his Embassy's officials and see what they can do on his behalf.

Good luck with this...

How can you say "at the very least they will not allow him back in Thailand and at the worst he could end up in prison" Seriously how can you say this? We have no detailed information on his position only some vague information posted by a friend. If there are no serious crimes committed by the OP's friend then it's a simply pay the fine, fly home and able to return to Thailand. i know several guys that overstayed more than 1-2 years left Thailand and returned with no issues. So you cant say what will or will not happen with out more information.

To the OP, you need to post more information about your friend's position. There are plenty of people here that have been there done that who can help. Getting a lawyer is a good idea, but be careful as not all the lawyers in Thailand are good. i had a friend who hired a lawyer paid the lawyer 100,000B down payment and was never able to get in contact with the lawyer again. The lawyer avoided phone calls, never in the office on surprise visits etc. So make sure he does his homework to find a good lawyer if he goes that route.

PS yes, smoking a joint can be a big problem, it also can be no big deal, all depends on the police that caught him, his attitude etc.

Good luck to your friend.