Overstay blacklisting starts in March
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Immigration Bureau could start blacklisting foreigners who stay beyond their visa period with effect from March 2016.

The royal decree on the blacklisting is expected to be promulgated in late March, said bureau chief Pol Maj Gen Natthorn Prosunthorn.

He said that the foreigners would be divided into two groups: those on overstay who turn themselves to the authorities and those who are arrested for overstaying.

In the first group, those with one year of overstay will be subject to a 3-year entry ban; those with more than 3 years of overstay will be banned for 5 years; and those with over 5 years of overstay will be banned for 10 years.

Those falling into the second group will be banned for 5-10 years depending on the overstay length.

He added that he believed that a large number of foreigners would contact the authorities before the law takes effect. This will facilitate the authorities’ monitoring of foreigners and screen quality visitors, he said.

"The existing law is weak, with fines of only Bt20,000," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Overstay-blacklisting-starts-in-March-30274578.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-09

I guess that means that the PM has given the Immigration Bureau's plan the go ahead with a twist!

So overstayers, Now is really the time to start to get your affairs in order else it will be too late.

This will be interesting. Will they actually use their computer system to check arrival cards against visa issues against departure cards?

A post with a inflammatory comment in it and a reply to it have been removed.

This will be interesting. Will they actually use their computer system to check arrival cards against visa issues against departure cards?

IMO, they check the combination of name and DOB, but I'm not 100% sure if that is the only thing they check.

Overstay blacklisting starts in March

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Immigration Bureau could start blacklisting foreigners who stay beyond their visa period with effect from March 2016.

COULD??? So this proposed law is not yet confirmed to be enacted fully? But somehow i still see 20+ pages of TVF speculation coming.

Overstay blacklisting starts in March

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Immigration Bureau could start blacklisting foreigners who stay beyond their visa period with effect from March 2016.

COULD??? So this is not yet confirmed? But somehow i still see 20+ pages of TVF speculation coming.

The royal decree on the blacklisting is expected to be promulgated in late March

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

Same here, but this is TV, and honestly it gives the guys on overstay already a head start to get their affairs in order

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

Same here, but this is TV, and honestly it gives the guys on overstay already a head start to get their affairs in order

It's actually a favour by the Immigration folks -- giving anyone who wants to sort out their paperwork a good chance to get it done in time.

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

You expect an endless amnesty for people who became overstayers before March 2016?

Higly illogical.

The only question that remains (for me that is) what happens if you have 1 day overstay, because for example your Border Run bus breaks down etc etc.

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

they will be banned if they haven't got their act together by march

for moaning about 'it is not fair' see below

I'll believe it when it is published in the Gazette. Until then, it's just more speculation and puffery.

The only question that remains (for me that is) what happens if you have 1 day overstay, because for example your Border Run bus breaks down etc etc.

These seem to be different rules to those previously published. The rules quoted in the OP only apply to overstaying 1 year or more.

The only question that remains (for me that is) what happens if you have 1 day overstay, because for example your Border Run bus breaks down etc etc.

The rules mentioned before did not start the banning until 90 days was reached.

This article only mentions one year or more.

I've read the OP, is there any mention of increased fines, over and above what is charged now?

For more caring about other people's business see below.

"Could"

And lets hope they record the names of those who overstay and check it against a database with all those who attempt to enter visa waiver or applying at a consulate outside the country. A simple computer program could do it!

The only question that remains (for me that is) what happens if you have 1 day overstay, because for example your Border Run bus breaks down etc etc.

These seem to be different rules to those previously published. The rules quoted in the OP only apply to overstaying 1 year or more.

You are right !!!! But that can't be right can it, I think most of the overstays are less then 1 year, so for them nothing changes ? Confused

The only question that remains (for me that is) what happens if you have 1 day overstay, because for example your Border Run bus breaks down etc etc.

The rules mentioned before did not start the banning until 90 days was reached.

This article only mentions one year or more.

Thanks Joe, not confused anymore

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

You expect an endless amnesty for people who became overstayers before March 2016?

Higly illogical.

Actually it would be a logical way to deal with it - and would facilitate a transition period.... but it is unlikely to happen that way.

It would be smoother if they did transition it in this manner. Here is how the transition could work (again but I would bet against it because Thai lawmakers don't work that way) - calculation of fine would be based on original entry, calculation of blacklisting based on greater of March 2016 and original entry. People caught by immigration would be based on original entry date only (i.e. blacklisted). One story placed 800,000 people in overstay status (or illegal entry) - and a year would be a reasonable transition period. Of course getting rid of 800,000 consumers in a couple of months will have at least some effect on the economy.

My country of origin has no exit system so overstays are free to leave at any time, but if you are not a person of means (i.e. able to live without working) - they would probably reject entry if you were not out of the country for at least 6 months. If you did not need to work, they would not care about the overstay..... (or at least they have not for people I have known from a reasonably wealthy individual that use to visit Canada for years without issue).

All this will do is just create a bigger revenue stream (IMHO)

What's a "quality visitor" and how will they be screened?

This is a good step though, and should be followed up with a total ban on visa runners who are abusing the regulations.

That's good news

I've read the OP, is there any mention of increased fines, over and above what is charged now?

No. They would have to change the immigration act to charge more than 20k.

The words to keep an eye on in this article are "could" and "expected".

I'd wait until it the royal decree is actually published.

I wonder about people who started their overstay before March 2016.

Same here, but this is TV, and honestly it gives the guys on overstay already a head start to get their affairs in order

It's actually a favour by the Immigration folks -- giving anyone who wants to sort out their paperwork a good chance to get it done in time.

They've been warning about this for at least a year or two ... despite the "wisdom" from some TV luminaries that it would never be put into effect.

So the overstay ones will have to go home and change their passport, it's good for the paper industry... and the wash machine detergent retailers.