Getting a new passport number after an overstay, and it's effect on coming back

[Hal65]

My language school has a person well-versed in Thai immigration and the intricacies of the Ministry of Education.

-- He told me something interesting today, that he's seen plenty of people overstay far past their departure date, and then come back with a new passport that had a new passport number. He says the blacklist does not seem very stringent, and as with most Thai systems seems not to be computerized or used with great effort.

As we were talking about this one guy walked by and commented that his friend who had overstayed by three years did exactly what we're talking about – changed his passport, came back to Thailand three months later.

-- It was also mentioned that you go to jail if caught within Thailand. But if you show up at the airport even with a long overstay, you pay the 20,000 baht fine and fly out.

I most add this disclaimer: I'm not suggesting this to anyone because there are obvious risks, and they're far from minor.

That said, has anyone had first-hand experiences with overstaying and coming back into the country with a different passport number?

[ukrules]

You don't need to change your passport. Pay the fine and you can come back in the next day.

[TerryLH]

"My language school has a person well-versed in Thai immigration..."

That made me chuckle.

+ 1 for post #2.

[richard_smith237]

Why is that people who are daft enough to chance an immigration overstay also think immigration are daft?...

Do people really believe that the Thai Immigration authorities are so far behind the times?

Regardless of Passport number you are tracked By Name and Date of Birth.

I’ve seen my entry and exit records over the past number of years using different passports. Each one of my passports was on the Immigration system.

If this ‘friend of a friend’ renewed his passport and was allowed to re-enter Thailand its simply because he was ‘allowed’ to re-enter Thailand. He was never on a blacklist etc… He will simply have been logged on arrival under the same profile with a new passport number.

[Maestro]

Getting a new passport, with a new number, makes no difference. You have been given bad advice. The immigration bureau is highly computerised and an immigration officer at the point of entry can bring up the Thailand-related details of you current and your past passports on his screen.

[hhgz]

"My language school has a person well-versed in Thai immigration and the intricacies of the Ministry of Education."

They told you to lie to your embassy, and defraud the Kingdom of Thailand, and you consider that to be "well-versed" in Thai law.

[Hal65]

"My language school has a person well-versed in Thai immigration and the intricacies of the Ministry of Education."

They told you to lie to your embassy, and defraud the Kingdom of Thailand, and you consider that to be "well-versed" in Thai law.

Looks like you are conveniently adding details to the story. But maybe I'm wrong, please quote the line where recommendations were given. I'll warn you now that attempts at inferences will quickly be rebutted.

[ToddinChonburi]

You were just given bad information that is all, I jhave not seen any reports of the inforcement of the over stay penalties yet. Notice I say YET !!!

And I sure would not want to be the first to get the 1 year ban.

[Soutpeel]

Regardless of Passport number you are tracked By Name and Date of Birth.

And lest no forget they have a photograph of the persons smiling mug as well...

[Soutpeel]

and as with most Thai systems seems not to be computerized or used with great effort.

Well very obviously your so called "expert" at your language school has never seen the info they do have in the immigration computerized data base, I caught a look at my "data page" let me tell you its all there.

Since I have been in Thailand I have had 4 new passports over the years and all the old numbers are there..

Thai immigration are not as stupid as people think they are

[colinneil]

Immigration stupid. No way!!

I had a problem in Thailand (court) went to leave, stopped at airport, my name /details in the system, you cannot leave Thailand.

I showed them paperwork from the court . OK you can leave.

I returned to Thailand 8 months later ,on a new passport ( old 1 full) immigration officer called a supervisor, they had my details photo e.t.c.

in the system, after checking with the court, i was allowed entry, it was a bit scary with all the waiting/ checking.

So anybody who thinks get a new passport, they wont know is kidding themselves, Thai immigration are on the ball.

[Expattaff1308]

It was some years ago (and not an overstay) but I had cause to get a re-entry permit at Nong Khai Immigration, The IO entered my current passport number into the pc and it printed out all my visits over previous years on which I had visited with two previous passports. All dates recorded for entry and exit.

Says it all really!

[OJAS]

It was some years ago (and not an overstay) but I had cause to get a re-entry permit at Nong Khai Immigration, The IO entered my current passport number into the pc and it printed out all my visits over previous years on which I had visited with two previous passports. All dates recorded for entry and exit.

Says it all really!

If one was a dual national, it would not surprise me in the slightest if Immigration could also print out the details of where one had been on one's other country's passports over the years.

And not just Immigration here in Thailand but worldwide as well sooner rather than later, I would imagine.

If one is a Brit with dual nationality, for example, one is now required to provide copies of one's current other country's passport when renewing one's British passport. This could be the reason why.

[Soutpeel]

If one is a Brit with dual nationality, for example, one is now required to provide copies of one's current other country's passport when renewing one's British passport. This could be the reason why.

When did that one come in,

I got a new PP last year and the subject of dual nationality was never brought up ? and in all my years never had to provide details of my "other" passport in either country, not suggesting they don't know about the "other" PP sure they do, but have never had to provide any info

[OJAS]

If one is a Brit with dual nationality, for example, one is now required to provide copies of one's current other country's passport when renewing one's British passport. This could be the reason why.

When did that one come in,

I got a new PP last year and the subject of dual nationality was never brought up ? and in all my years never had to provide details of my "other" passport in either country, not suggesting they don't know about the "other" PP sure they do, but have never had to provide any info

From https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports:

"Dual nationals

"You must send a colour photocopy of your non-British passport (every page including blank pages) as part of your application.

"You may be asked to show your non-British passport at a later date."

[Soutpeel]

If one is a Brit with dual nationality, for example, one is now required to provide copies of one's current other country's passport when renewing one's British passport. This could be the reason why.

When did that one come in,

I got a new PP last year and the subject of dual nationality was never brought up ? and in all my years never had to provide details of my "other" passport in either country, not suggesting they don't know about the "other" PP sure they do, but have never had to provide any info

From https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports:

"Dual nationals

"You must send a colour photocopy of your non-British passport (every page including blank pages) as part of your application.

"You may be asked to show your non-British passport at a later date."

interesting thanks but I understand why they are doing it...

[Badbanker]

The Thai Immigration computer system has some set fields, that your black listing is hooked to.

These fields are your name as in your passport and your date of birth.

It is not possible to change your date of birth in any country I am aware of, but changing your name is easy in most countries!

If however a police official spots you and recognises you from a previous incident, he may then arrest you, check your fingerprints which are always kept on record at the Police Criminal Record Division.

If you are found to have been black listed and deported previously, you will be deported and black listed again!