Overstay blacklisting starts in March

[Sophon]

Sounds not totally unreasonable, if blacklisting is only applied for those who have overstayed for a year or more and the fine remains a maximum of B20k with no imprisonment, except for those who are unable to pay fines who do one day in lieu of each B200 unpaid fine.

The initial announcement suggests no harsh treatment for those who unavoidably overstay for less than a year due to medical or other reasons.

That is probably just due to poor reporting by The Nation. The originally published regulations and the papers Immigration has asked people to sign when they extend their permission to stay states blacklisting for overstays over 90 days, and yesterdays article in Bangkok Post says the same.

Sophon

[FritsSikkink]

So if they stop you returning for a certain period will it be based on your current passport details ? Just renew your passport maybe

you try it, lol

[ldiablo]

Quality visitors do not overstay any ware for 5 years and as for the insignificant 20000 baht fines should be raised to 1000000 baht that might be a deterrent to the reprobate over stayers and keep the small trivial fines 20000 for not wearing seatbelts or not wearing a certified crash helmet while riding a motorbike.[/quote

And a merry bah humbug to you sir have any over stayers directly affected you sir!!!

One probably took the bargirl he was looking at.

[JB300]

I can tell you what the Visa situation for Thailand was 50 years ago. Americans and the citizens of the UK could enter visa free at an airport for 15 days. If they desired a longer stay the only visa possible was a 30 day tourist visa. However, one could place $1000 in a Thai Bank and be granted a longer stay. I never found out how long because 50 years ago this was a huge amount of money. In addition during the 60's Thailand at one time opened their permanent residency up to all comers and provided lifetime work permits. I know 2 people that still have them. In those days there were hardly any foreign tourists and those that did come were so rare people actually stopped on the street to stare.

Fast forward to today- the new overstay rules appear to be overly harsh. As one of the posters stated- an unusual thing can happen suddenly in a person's life. Many years ago my first wife became ill with cancer and eventually passed away. Not only did I lose her but all my savings and a fully paid house- about 5 Million Baht. I had to leave Thailand because I was broke. I didn't care about Visas, reporting to Immigration or anything else. I wanted to save my wife's life. There are other stories out there. Just because you are sitting pretty one day- no one knows the future. Let's not be so judgmental- overstay is a victim less 'crime'

The real issue is for every one of you (& the previous poster looking after an ill relative), there's 100s overstaying for less "valid" reasons (can't remember the thread but do remember a poster gloating about how much money he's saved by overstaying & not buying Visas / doing visa runs) so they clamp down on everybody & its people in a similar situation to you (& previous poster) that get caught/fcuked up by it.

Simply put, if everybody who didn't have a strong reason for overstaying didn't overstay there would be no need for them to clamp down on it.

Same with ED visas

Same with Back-2-Back Tourist Visas/ Visa exempts.

Latest one I've seen is somebody being advised to go get a 7 day extension on the extension they already have on their Visa Exempt, obviously these don't exist but a quirk of the system means they'll be given an extra 7 days for a failed exemption, how long till they start clamping down on this as well?

[Cpkt8]

What about tougher laws on corruption, drink driving, murders, etc?

Agree, but irrelevant to this thread so probably one for another one if you'd like to start one.

Or are you suggesting the 2 are somehow linked? And overstayers should be in the same category as drink drivers/murderers???

My point is overstayers' issue is least important issue Thailand has, compared with corruption. Instead of melting out tougher laws on overstayers, the government should tackle the more important issues now.

[expatbrit]

What about tougher laws on corruption, drink driving, murders, etc?

Agree, but irrelevant to this thread so probably one for another one if you'd like to start one.

Or are you suggesting the 2 are somehow linked? And overstayers should be in the same category as drink drivers/murderers???

My point is overstayers' issue is least important issue Thailand has, compared with corruption. Instead of melting out tougher laws on overstayers, the government should tackle the more important issues now.

I wonder if the "Government" of your home country has solved all the "important" issues. Has corruption and criminality been eliminated ?

edit to remove typo

Edited December 10, 2015 by expatbrit

[jesse89148]

Is it still 30 days that you can stay before you're considered in violation?

What happens if my flight out gets cancelled after 30 days there and I have to stay one or two days over?

[elviajero]

What about tougher laws on corruption, drink driving, murders, etc?

Agree, but irrelevant to this thread so probably one for another one if you'd like to start one.

Or are you suggesting the 2 are somehow linked? And overstayers should be in the same category as drink drivers/murderers???

My point is overstayers' issue is least important issue Thailand has, compared with corruption. Instead of melting out tougher laws on overstayers, the government should tackle the more important issues now.

They are insignificant in the grand scheme of things but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be addressed.

The government didn't make tougher laws. The Immigration Bureau proposed these bans and all the government have had to do is rubber stamp it. It takes no time or resources from the government who can continue to tackle corruption etc.

[elviajero]

Is it still 30 days that you can stay before you're considered in violation?

What happens if my flight out gets cancelled after 30 days there and I have to stay one or two days over?

No.

If 1 day nothing. If two days you'd be charged 1,000 baht overstay.

[eddybangkok]

I have to say thse rules will definetly make sure i dont overstay again.People have time to get things in order.

[Yahooka]

I got to Swampy Immigration at 10pm one night on the last day of my stay to find an horrific queue. Finally got to the desk at 00.15 where the officer thought it quite funny to direct me to the overstay counter where I had a red stamp placed in my passport.

I wonder if this happened now if it could gain somebody a one year ban from the kingdom?

Not at all.The ban is for those who`s overstayed for months and years.

[FritsSikkink]

What about tougher laws on corruption, drink driving, murders, etc?

Agree, but irrelevant to this thread so probably one for another one if you'd like to start one.

Or are you suggesting the 2 are somehow linked? And overstayers should be in the same category as drink drivers/murderers???

My point is overstayers' issue is least important issue Thailand has, compared with corruption. Instead of melting out tougher laws on overstayers, the government should tackle the more important issues now.

always pointing to other ones, mommy he did so and so.

[F4UCorsair]

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

Those circumstances will be covered. You'll be summarily executed. Next please.

[Gringogazzer]

I suppose these rules are still pretty tame compared to other countries. But this Border Hopping to stay longer doesn't make much sense to me either. I guess I don't really understand that if someone has funds to support himself, and thus obviously not working here, is only 49 years old or younger, and is not married to a Thai, why he can't just go to Immigration and extend his Tourist Visa as long as he wants. But the rules are the rules and should be followed. .

Name just one Western country which can be entered with a tourist visa that can then be endlessly extended .....................

Name one Western country that doesn't give their spouses equal living/residency rights...

It's like looking into the mind of a child with you. Have you worked out the difference between male & female yet?

[thai006]

good news

[F4UCorsair]

What about tougher laws on corruption, drink driving, murders, etc?

Agree, but irrelevant to this thread so probably one for another one if you'd like to start one.

Or are you suggesting the 2 are somehow linked? And overstayers should be in the same category as drink drivers/murderers???

My point is overstayers' issue is least important issue Thailand has, compared with corruption. Instead of melting out tougher laws on overstayers, the government should tackle the more important issues now.

ThT applies all the way up the chain of crime seriousness. You say it of corruption...thieves say it of driving drunk....drunk drivers say it of those committing capital crime, etc.

It's no excuse to give a free ride to those committing less serious crimes.

Some years ago the NYPD (I think it was) started getting tough on petty crime, turnstile jumpers, petty theft, etc., and over the following couple of years, crimes in ALL categories dropped.

It shows a seriousness by the authorities to apply the law, and that can't be a bad thing.

[jspill]

Some years ago the NYPD (I think it was) started getting tough on petty crime, turnstile jumpers, petty theft, etc., and over the following couple of years, crimes in ALL categories dropped.

It shows a seriousness by the authorities to apply the law, and that can't be a bad thing.

It's a change in the law, not an application of the existing law. Blacklisting for overstay didn't exist before.

Robberies and property crimes have increased 60% this year, despite the junta's focus on law and social order.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/world/asia/thailand-economy-tourism.html

Edited December 10, 2015 by jspill

[SchadeBoy]

This should get rid of the riff raff, perverts, drug users, alcoholics and criminals. A good clean up is needed, as these overstayers reflect badly on us good people.

[MobileContent]

So if they stop you returning for a certain period will it be based on your current passport details ? Just renew your passport maybe

Not really. You will be blacklisted with your full name, DoB, citizenship etc - Also I am not sure if IDC takes your finger print but they might use that option as well.

[Skeptic7]

Three words...About Freakin' Time!

[Gutenberg]

This should get rid of the riff raff, perverts, drug users, alcoholics and criminals. A good clean up is needed, as these overstayers reflect badly on us good people.

Damn I hate those idiots who always generalize. Can we please get rid of them, they reflect badly on us good people.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Gutenberg

[scubascuba3]

i would have thought an amnesty might be a good idea, otherwise those who have overstayed for years such as the Udon Thani lot might as well stay hidden

[Skeptic7]

Is it still 30 days that you can stay before you're considered in violation?

What happens if my flight out gets cancelled after 30 days there and I have to stay one or two days over?

You will either be rebooked on another flight/airline that same day, but if not then it will all be handled then and there at the airport. You will be escorted by a rep from your airline to the Immigration Desk before you are permitted to depart the airport. There are procedures already in place for this type of occurrence.

[Sutty]

Roll on March so this thread can be blacklisted it's already overstayed

Edited December 11, 2015 by Sutty

[FritsSikkink]

I suppose these rules are still pretty tame compared to other countries. But this Border Hopping to stay longer doesn't make much sense to me either. I guess I don't really understand that if someone has funds to support himself, and thus obviously not working here, is only 49 years old or younger, and is not married to a Thai, why he can't just go to Immigration and extend his Tourist Visa as long as he wants. But the rules are the rules and should be followed. .

Name just one Western country which can be entered with a tourist visa that can then be endlessly extended .....................

Name one Western country that doesn't give their spouses equal living/residency rights...

It's like looking into the mind of a child with you. Have you worked out the difference between male & female yet?

the Netherlands

[FritsSikkink]

i would have thought an amnesty might be a good idea, otherwise those who have overstayed for years such as the Udon Thani lot might as well stay hidden

just pay the 20000, you had enough fun for nothing

[luke000]

So if they stop you returning for a certain period will it be based on your current passport details ? Just renew your passport maybe

If you do get deported and blacklisted . If you do then re enter Thailand and you get caught .

You would then get charged with entering Thailand illegally, which is a serious offence.

Much more serious than just over staying .

[eddybangkok]

I'll believe it when i see it.Plans and proposed new laws have a tendency to never actually never happen in this country.I don't care who said what

[elviajero]

I'll believe it when i see it.Plans and proposed new laws have a tendency to never actually never happen in this country.I don't care who said what

Come March/April you and the other non believers will be converted!

This has been on the cards since July 2014 and it's final stages are just formality.

[luke000]

i

Where do you get this from? There are people who have been locked up for up to 15 years at IDC. I know, because I have been there.

No limit of years there, but that only strengtens your point

I'm not referring to the people held at the IDC pending deportation. The penalty for anyone overstaying is up to two years in prison and a maximum of 20k fine or both.

Persons who get deported from Thailand need to buy their own ticket home, if you cannot buy a ticket home, they keep you in IDC untill you do, how ever long it takes .

People who cannot get a ticket home, stay in IDC permanently, forever