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

As far as I've seen, the immigration staff use their computers as paperweights for the amazing volume of paper they require.

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.

Yes. Still just speculation.

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.

Yes. Still just speculation.

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.

My friend was at immigration here in Pattaya yesterday. He had to sign a form indicating he understood these new rules. Seems they are instituting this already????

Could. Says 1 guy.

Wait and see

I would imagine there are many 1,000s of overstayers who pay into the economy which will have an adverse effect on the Thai economy if it is put into force it seems one step forward and ten steps backwards

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

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

My friend was at immigration here in Pattaya yesterday. He had to sign a form indicating he understood these new rules. Seems they are instituting this already????

This signing of the forms has been effect (to my knowledge) already 1 year+

The last time I did an extension of stay at Jomtien Immigration (around 1.5 years ago) I also had to sign such a form

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

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

My friend was at immigration here in Pattaya yesterday. He had to sign a form indicating he understood these new rules. Seems they are instituting this already????

I think it was the same form they have been getting people to sign since May of last year.

I have had to sign it for 2 extension now.

Yawn, they have been saying this for ages.

Im sure this will stop those nasty isis folk I mean theyre undesirable arent they...............oooops already here

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

I doubt it they cannot even make it work UNIFORMLY for 90 reporting. To much sophistication involved. I would not mind if they could hold up their end with good immigration services (unlike Chiang Mai) online reporting that works and a good online queue system. Now we would have a level playing field but no they do not hold up their end to ease the burden on us instead they think of ways to make it harder. Seniors to old to jump through hoops

I would imagine there are many 1,000s of overstayers who pay into the economy which will have an adverse effect on the Thai economy if it is put into force it seems one step forward and ten steps backwards

Sounds about right.

I would imagine there are many 1,000s of overstayers who pay into the economy which will have an adverse effect on the Thai economy if it is put into force it seems one step forward and ten steps backwards

So if an overstayer flouts the law but spends money in the supermarket, on accom and the other necessaries he should not be fined ,deported etc ?

"Oh but I help the economy" has nothing to do with it you are a law breaker as is the case in any country

There is absolutely no excuse for being on overstay unless you are illiterate or cant read a calendar.

Seems Thailnd attracts all the scum bags,desperados ,criminals ,paodophiles, time for massive clean up

Good idea,should have happen years ago. If people can't do the right thing get rid of them,they only make it harder for people who are doing the right thing.

The same blabla was announced more than a year ago.

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.

Name and DOB will work for some nationalities but not others. Mr Krishna Patel born 1/1/70 for example!

If it all comes to fruition,then turning oneself in is the best option,but I'm <deleted> if I'd wanna be barred from my beloved place of my wifes birth.
Anyone know what the proposed penalty is for under a years o/s?

Rules are for those who cant afford them...

Why delay this measure until March next year?

Aint gonna happen they need to change thai immigration laws (to make over stay a CRIMINAL offence) and what they propose is against the United Nations signatory that Thailand signed up to be a member of

Still the next 70 pages will be interesting as usual

Good idea,should have happen years ago. If people can't do the right thing get rid of them,they only make it harder for people who are doing the right thing.

I agree with you to a point. Doing the right thing should be a 2 way street. Get online systems for 90 days and online queues that work with at least 20 slots. Man the onsite tables with enough employees so that we do not have to spend the whole day there. Now that the playing field is level then lets look at all these rule additions. You cannot streamline the system on one side and do the horse and buggy thing on the other. We know and they know that the expat community here is exploding and a 10 year old system that has gone non functional over the last year is not the answer. Fair is fair.

Aint gonna happen they need to change thai immigration laws (to make over stay a CRIMINAL offence) and what they propose is against the United Nations signatory that Thailand signed up to be a member of

Still the next 70 pages will be interesting as usual

No they don't.

They can exclude whichever group they want under existing immigration law.

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

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

My friend was at immigration here in Pattaya yesterday. He had to sign a form indicating he understood these new rules. Seems they are instituting this already????

I think it was the same form they have been getting people to sign since May of last year.

I have had to sign it for 2 extension now.

Is this notification in English or Thai?

I think it's all in Thai.

Very few farangs can probably understand what they are signing.

I would imagine there are many 1,000s of overstayers who pay into the economy which will have an adverse effect on the Thai economy if it is put into force it seems one step forward and ten steps backwards

I would imagine most long term overstayers do so because they have no money and can't afford to pay the 20k overstay fine, and get another visa. If they all left tomorrow I doubt it would make a jot of difference to the economy. Anyone overstaying through choice deserves to get thrown out and banned.

I would imagine there are many 1,000s of overstayers who pay into the economy which will have an adverse effect on the Thai economy if it is put into force it seems one step forward and ten steps backwards

I would imagine most long term overstayers do so because they have no money and can't afford to pay the 20k overstay fine, and get another visa. If they all left tomorrow I doubt it would make a jot of difference to the economy. Anyone overstaying through choice deserves to get thrown out and banned.

I just love these "expert economists" who predict fiscal disaster for Thailand if ,in this case, overstayer's are removed !

A similar argument is often used in other scenarios where there is a risk of the "falang" not getting what is demanded.

All compete nonsense of course!

This is long overdue.

No point to having a rgulation that is not properly enforced.

I don't understand all this noncence speculation about overstay. If you have nothing to hide just go and pay your fine, leave the country and come back with a visa. There have been visa runs organized in every street corner in the major cities so why haven't you guys used these? Hiding something so you should not be in this country?

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.

So 80 days of overstay and you're still good to go? No ban at all until 90 days?

This is long overdue.

No point to having a rgulation that is not properly enforced.

I, for one, will be pleased not to read any more posts from those who brag about their extended periods of overstay which are settled with 20,000, followed by an immediate return to the country.

This is long overdue.

No point to having a rgulation that is not properly enforced.

Boy you really got me scratching my head over this one.