Deportation from Chiang Mai

[Badbanker]

Typically most court ordered deportations are done through Suwanapum as it is normally a requisite that the flag carrier of your country sends you home.

If there is no flag carrier, then an airline that will accept deportations. Lots of airlines will not carry people being deported! A direct flight is normally required, but if one is not available, a connecting flight is OK.

Please inform the airline the ticket is for a deportation, before you buy a ticket as this is a pre requirement!

I have known of people being deported directly from Phuket but have never heard of people being directly deported from Chiang Mai?

Once you are bought to the IDC (Immigration Detention Center) in Bangkok, your embassy is contacted and friends are encouraged to visit you and assist you to purchase a ticket home.

If, after 6 months in the IDC you are not able to purchase a ticket to return home, the Jesuit Brothers foundation will purchase a ticket for you.

Please also be aware there is a transportation/administration fee charged by Immigration from the IDC to Suwanapum Airport. It ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 baht depending on the timing of flight.

You are not hand cuffed or detained but the Immigration officer with be in possession of your passport and will check you in.

It is normal to have family and friends meet and greet you and give you your luggage at the check in counter.

Once you are checked in, you will be taken through a special immigration counter to be kept in a holding area till before you flight.

An immigration officer will escort you to the gate and your passport will be given to the aircraft captain who will give it to you or officials when you return to your home country.

I have done this multiple times.

Fines!

Court fines automatically negate any other fines, as you are under a courts order, which is the highest authority in the land.

Court fines are typically anything from 1,000 to 10,000 baht depending on the judges whim. I remember a 20 year overstay was fined 8,000 baht and a recent 16 year overstay was 6,000!

[NancyL]

Thank you Badbanker!

I have remembered you writing about this in the past and stating you were not aware of people being deported directly from Chiang Mai -- perhaps the problem being the lack of non-stop flights from CNX to western countries and/or the unwillingness of the international airlines serving CNX to book flights for deportees because of the need for transit stopovers in their countries (i.e. Korean Airlines/Seoul for deportation to North America).

I hope ThaiLauren will return with a few more details, like the nationality of the deportee and the airline used.

[Badbanker]

In previous times it was possible to go on almost any flight, but a British national convicted of human trafficking, jumped ship in Mumbai on his deportation flight and flew back to Cambodia, where he lived happily for several years before he was arrested there and sent in chains back to the UK.

Thai Immigration openly say his behavior was instrumental in causing them to change the regulations, which made it a lot more difficult for all deportees. Previously a British national could fly to Hong Kong and then come straight back to Thailand without any problems.

[elviajero]

Looks like the proposed bans could be enforced soon. I don't see Prayuth not giving the green light.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865576-pm-prayuth-to-decide-on-tough-new-penalties-for-foreigners-who-overstay/?p=10002950

[monk213]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

[elviajero]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

If on an overstay you can exit at any border and pay 500 baht for every day you overstay to a maximum of 20,000 baht.

If you are arrested by the police you will be put through the deportation process. Arrested, sent to the IDC, put before a judge and fined, held at the detention centre until you have paid for a flight back to your home country, escorted to the airport, waved goodbye.

There are currently no bans from returning whether or not you deported. However, Immigration proposed bans back in 2014 which it appears the PM is now considering. See my post above and the linked report.

Edited October 25, 2015 by elviajero

[oncearugge]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

If you were "very, very" ill a simple Hospital Doctors letter stating the facts and including the fact that your illness prevented travel would have secured an extension on medical grounds providing application was made Before overstay was established.

[ratcatcher]

"Court fines are never 20k and the fine for overstaying isn't 20k its a maximum of 20k."

The alleged overstay in this case would attract a 20000Bht fine!

Even if taken to court I very much doubt a Judge would reduce the fine to 800 Bhht for, as alleged, for early processing.

It would appear the OP is not in full possession of all the facts.

Where I live all serious cases of overstay are transferred from the local IDC to Bangkok for processing and deportation.

Most cases where the required fine can be paid and an outward bound airline ticket can be provided are dealt with locally.

I suspect there is more to this story than has been told.

What has been told is accurate information. I was there for the hearing.

The fine was 1000baht but 200baht was reduced when i paid it.

The person was here working legally for 2 years with work permit. Then studied for 2 years. All legit. Nothing was done underhand.

The only reson for the subsequent overstay was lack of funds to fly back home and the fiance that was a 4 year relationship that he had been together. Not a bar girl, not someone from the east, but a real relationship.

OP what do you mean by "not a bar girl or from east.......but a REAL RELATIONSHIP"

Are you a fool or just narrow minded

I think thailauren is blissfully unaware just how many thousands of farangs are in real relationships with eastern BGs. Not all foreigners that come here marry Chinese -Thai, white skinned ladies with PhDs in shopping.

[monk213]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

If you were "very, very" ill a simple Hospital Doctors letter stating the facts and including the fact that your illness prevented travel would have secured an extension on medical grounds providing application was made Before overstay was established.

oh ok then, but what are the rules here. I have been here half a decade and never had an overstay issue but I am curious. I of course now the land of Thais seem to have different rules from province to province, border to border and official to official, but what is the difference in punishment for say 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc?

[elviajero]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

If you were "very, very" ill a simple Hospital Doctors letter stating the facts and including the fact that your illness prevented travel would have secured an extension on medical grounds providing application was made Before overstay was established.

oh ok then, but what are the rules here. I have been here half a decade and never had an overstay issue but I am curious. I of course now the land of Thais seem to have different rules from province to province, border to border and official to official, but what is the difference in punishment for say 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc?

1 day isn't usually charged. 2 days is 1,000 baht then it's 500 baht for every day after. After 40 days you reach the maximum fine of 20k. So someone overstaying 40 days pays the same as someone overstaying 10 years.

The fine is the same at every border.

[eaglesflight]

"Court fines are never 20k and the fine for overstaying isn't 20k its a maximum of 20k."

The alleged overstay in this case would attract a 20000Bht fine!

Even if taken to court I very much doubt a Judge would reduce the fine to 800 Bhht for, as alleged, for early processing.

It would appear the OP is not in full possession of all the facts.

Where I live all serious cases of overstay are transferred from the local IDC to Bangkok for processing and deportation.

Most cases where the required fine can be paid and an outward bound airline ticket can be provided are dealt with locally.

I suspect there is more to this story than has been told.

What has been told is accurate information. I was there for the hearing.

The fine was 1000baht but 200baht was reduced when i paid it.

The person was here working legally for 2 years with work permit. Then studied for 2 years. All legit. Nothing was done underhand.

The only reson for the subsequent overstay was lack of funds to fly back home and the fiance that was a 4 year relationship that he had been together. Not a bar girl, not someone from the east, but a real relationship.

OP what do you mean by "not a bar girl or from east.......but a REAL RELATIONSHIP"

Are you a fool or just narrow minded

I think thailauren is blissfully unaware just how many thousands of farangs are in real relationships with eastern BGs. Not all foreigners that come here marry Chinese -Thai, white skinned ladies with PhDs in shopping.

To assume that all girls from the North East are prostitutes is stupid of course, but to assume that there are only two types of girl in Thailand is even more stupid. As is the assumption that all well-to-do, light skinned Thai ladies are ethnically Chinese and spend their lives shopping. Edited October 25, 2015 by eaglesflight

[monk213]

Just for future reference what is the usual procedure for overstay? I never intend to of course but I nearly came to it 2 weeks back as I had to leave but was very very ill. What are the circumstances and punishments etc??

If you were "very, very" ill a simple Hospital Doctors letter stating the facts and including the fact that your illness prevented travel would have secured an extension on medical grounds providing application was made Before overstay was established.

oh ok then, but what are the rules here. I have been here half a decade and never had an overstay issue but I am curious. I of course now the land of Thais seem to have different rules from province to province, border to border and official to official, but what is the difference in punishment for say 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc?

1 day isn't usually charged. 2 days is 1,000 baht then it's 500 baht for every day after. After 40 days you reach the maximum fine of 20k. So someone overstaying 40 days pays the same as someone overstaying 10 years.

The fine is the same at every border.

ok thanks but what is this talk of prison time?

[elviajero]

oh ok then, but what are the rules here. I have been here half a decade and never had an overstay issue but I am curious. I of course now the land of Thais seem to have different rules from province to province, border to border and official to official, but what is the difference in punishment for say 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc?

1 day isn't usually charged. 2 days is 1,000 baht then it's 500 baht for every day after. After 40 days you reach the maximum fine of 20k. So someone overstaying 40 days pays the same as someone overstaying 10 years.

The fine is the same at every border.

ok thanks but what is this talk of prison time?

• At a border none. If you can pay the fine you'd be allowed to leave.
• If arrested you'd be held at the IDC until you can pay for a flight home. Some have been there for years.
• The current law allows for anyone on overstay to be locked up for up to 2 years but in practice that doesn't happen.

Edited October 25, 2015 by elviajero

[paz]

[pls ignore]

Edited October 25, 2015 by paz

[oncearugge]

• The current law allows for anyone on overstay to be locked up for up to 2 years but in practice that doesn't happe

Which law? From reports there are African and Asian people in IDC that has been locked up much longer than that.

Yep !

Locked until the fine is paid and or a paid for flight out is obtained.

Check the immigration act.

Should these convicted over-stayers just be allowed out onto the streets with no visa and no income ?

[paz]

Someone picking on deleted postings had just been put on ignore list. it was enough time

[eaglesflight]

• The current law allows for anyone on overstay to be locked up for up to 2 years but in practice that doesn't happe

Which law? From reports there are African and Asian people in IDC that has been locked up much longer than that.

Yep !

Locked until the fine is paid and or a paid for flight out is obtained.

Check the immigration act.

Should these convicted over-stayers just be allowed out onto the streets with no visa and no income ?

Possibly not but a little more humanity wouldn't go amiss. Besides, this is not the place to discuss what you think should be done with those who overstay their visa. It's completely irrelevant to the original topic.

[fey]

Ok, here is the deal. Have a friend who was arrested with abt 7 months overstay. He was taken to immigration in CM then spent a night in the police station near where he lived. Then next day he was taken to the courts by the police. Then i paid his fine which was only 1000 baht but they said only pay 800baht. (Discount for being processed fast.)

He was then taken to the CM immigration again at abt 4pm on 22/10 and even though he was ready to buy his ticket and leave immediately the IO took him to a police station/IDC near Nong Hoi. He has to wait until Monday for any movement in the process due to the long weekend. The info according to the IO (seems to be) that you can leave through the international terminal in CNX but must have a connecting flight to your home country, which is not a problem. However, my friend has a long time partner and would like to know if in Bkk he can have a secondary connecting flight to let's say SIN or KL so he can come back soon.

The question is. When you get to BKK is there an IO waiting for you until your connecting flight?

likely would be a flag in their passport. they could wander airport and get a connecting flight, but not pass immigration into the country.

deportation you should not have to go back to home country, just leave. thailand has no say what country you leave to. not their juristiction. airline will clear them to enter country of choice at ticket counter.

notes in passport would prevent future visas or entry at the thailand border depending on how long they are banned.

getting a new passport with a new number would probably clear it.

Edited October 26, 2015 by fey

[thaibreaker]

Seems there is a bit confusion about fines set by a judge, and overstay fines per day.

And also about the destination for your deportation.

Here are some facts (been there, done that):

1. If you are arrested and face deportation, you must go back to your home country. That is a must, not a choice.

In some cases, the deportees can choose between a couple of choices, for instance if you have a dual citizenship, or if your country also have roots at another destination. An american was for instance sent to Guam (they have military roots there) by his choice, accepted by his own embassy.

So there is no chance you can do a runner here. They usually handcuff you to the airport, and check in together with you. The passport are returned when you are at the gate. You are escorted all the way there, after a stop at the immigration office at the airport for stamps and registration.

2. The overstay fine of 500 bath per day, max. 20k, is not anymore valid when arrested. Instead you get a fine set by a judge, which is at the moment in Bangkok 3000 bath for people with passport and any overstay, and 6000 bath for people without passport, or passport not valid anymore. It does not matter if the overstay is just a few days, or 16 years. All are equally fined.

Other fined amounts are very unusual, as far as I know.

3. You are let back in again, in most cases. Even repeatedly overstayers are let in, without any banned period.

I have experienced one american man who turned himself in at a police station close to Chiang Mai. He was held in jail for more than a week there, before sent to IDC in Bangkok. First there he could start the process of paying for his trip back home to the US. Don`t know if any practice has changed now, but as told over, there is no chance the man in question here can go anywhere else than back home.

I recommend anyone not to turn yourself in for overstay. You must come up with the ticket either way, and believe me, to be jailed at IDC in Bangkok is a very nasty experience. Not worth any overstaying period.

Gather the money, show up at the airport with your 20k, and you will avoid an experience you do not want.

Edited October 26, 2015 by thaibreaker

[thaibreaker]

Ok, here is the deal. Have a friend who was arrested with abt 7 months overstay. He was taken to immigration in CM then spent a night in the police station near where he lived. Then next day he was taken to the courts by the police. Then i paid his fine which was only 1000 baht but they said only pay 800baht. (Discount for being processed fast.)

He was then taken to the CM immigration again at abt 4pm on 22/10 and even though he was ready to buy his ticket and leave immediately the IO took him to a police station/IDC near Nong Hoi. He has to wait until Monday for any movement in the process due to the long weekend. The info according to the IO (seems to be) that you can leave through the international terminal in CNX but must have a connecting flight to your home country, which is not a problem. However, my friend has a long time partner and would like to know if in Bkk he can have a secondary connecting flight to let's say SIN or KL so he can come back soon.

The question is. When you get to BKK is there an IO waiting for you until your connecting flight?

likely would be a flag in their passport. they could wander airport and get a connecting flight, but not pass immigration into the country.

deportation you should not have to go back to home country, just leave. thailand has no say what country you leave to. not their juristiction. airline will clear them to enter country of choice at ticket counter.

notes in passport would prevent future visas or entry at the thailand border depending on how long they are banned.

getting a new passport with a new number would probably clear it.

This is just plain wrong. You can not choose your own destination.

Been there, done that.

At the moment, no notes will be put in the passport that prevents new visas.

In some cases you may be blacklisted, but that is very rare. Then there are special circumstances, not only regular overstays.

Edited October 26, 2015 by thaibreaker

[Badbanker]

Pre 9/11 things were a lot easier in Thailand.

There was a time you could choose your destination, when that country had a no right of refusal policy, like British Nationals in Hong Kong.

Blacklisting comes from you being: convicted of a criminal offense, at the arresting officers discretion and being deported because of an international warrant for your arrest.

Immigration cannot arbitrarily black list you but if for some reason they do, you can appeal to the Administrative Court and have it taken off!

New passports are not necessary, but are nice when you apply for visas, as embassies and consulates do not have access to your immigration history and rely solely on the visas and stamps in your passport.

All of your stays in Thailand for the past at least 10 years, are available online to the immigration officer when you enter, so they can see all of your stay history!