Catch a domestic flight with an overstay situation

[Ian1980]

Catching a domestic flight with an overstaying situation(dont know how many days)is possible.The person after will leave for Vientiane from Bangkok.Thank you

[Colabamumbai]

Should not be a problem at all. I live here and just take my license for I.D. on flights. Domestic airlines are not looking at visa stamps, just your name on passport or other I. D.

[blackcab]

Last time in looked, Vientiane was in Laos. That means a (short) international flight. Which means exiting Thai immigration. Which would mean clearing the overstay.

Domestic flights are within the borders of the same country.

Thailand is not going to let you out without paying.

[fatfather]

Do not overstay....

Fatfather

[Colabamumbai]

Last time in looked, Vientiane was in Laos. That means a (short) international flight. Which means exiting Thai immigration. Which would mean clearing the overstay.

Domestic flights are within the borders of the same country.

Thailand is not going to let you out without paying.

Your correct I read it as later the person will be returning from Vientiane, not flying there. I think that the poster should know that Laos is a different country. My apologies.

[KhunBENQ]

I assumed that the poster is perfectly aware that in Bangkok the overstay will have to be cleared and is just afraid that something would happen on the domestic flight to Bangkok?

A question asked a couple of times during the last months.

Guess why? Deadline approaches

And as written: there is no check of visa/permission to stay at domestic check-in.

Just ID check (name on booking/boarding card).

[Ian1980]

Last time in looked, Vientiane was in Laos. That means a (short) international flight. Which means exiting Thai immigration. Which would mean clearing the overstay.

Domestic flights are within the borders of the same country.

Thailand is not going to let you out without paying.

I perfectly know that Vientiane is in Laos.Thank you.

[blackcab]

You're welcome.

Just trying to help by explaining that the flight to Laos is not domestic. If the person going to Laos thinks it's a domestic flight and they will not need to worry about their overstay then they need to understand a bit better.

Or not. Up to them.

[jacksam]

I was also little confused. In any event if he is going to Vientiane to maybe clear overstay and perhaps obtain a visa to reenter then I understand. If flying domestic from say phuket to bkk then onto Vientiane, the first leg is domestic. The only clearance is airline. He could even use farang photo id such as license. Having said all that flights to Vientiane are expensive. Can think of many better options.

[novo58]

The OP meant to say .....................................

he is travelling to Bangkok ( domestic flight)

Then he will travel to Vientiane........from Bangkok.

He is worried about the overstay being noticed when boarding the domestic flight.

To the OP ........................as stated, for the domestic flight the airline staff WILL ONLY check for correct ID of traveller.......they do not work for immigration.

For travel to Vientiane.....................much cheaper to fly to Udon Thani, take minibus to border, clear overstay, then proceed to Vientiane, I am assuming to obtain the correct visa.

[jacksam]

Nova58 good advice. He could also consider flight to Saigon. Sometimes Airasia have very cheap flights. Good place to chill and no queue consulate.

The minibus from udon thani he can get at centra plaza and it's easy run. Trouble is you need to go early. Most fly into udon, spend the night and get the 7 or 8am to border.

Having said all that the guy is on overstay. For me, I would fly to bkk and get direct flight out of los to country where I can obtain setv. Such as ,Penang , Saigon etc.

Lot of pain if was unlucky to get picked up PRIOR to arrival at a border crossing.

Leading up to March 20 for all we know the police may decide to do some extra passport checking on roads to borders or even bkk airports.

I would clear my overstay NOW

[novo58]

@jacksam ........................

your post made me remember

I live in Udon Thani and 4 days ago the family ( myself , gf, gf's daughter and , gf's mother) did a trip to Nong Khai to visit a temple there.

Just south of nong Khai there is a police checkpoint....................on the way up it was not manned( BUT could have been) ,but when we were returning to Udon Thani , it was manned.

WE were stopped ( as car has very tinted windows), the daughter opened her window, officer looked inside, saw family group and we were waved on .

But there were about 5 cars pulled over and occupants being " checked" ..........................for what I dont know.

So maybe ......to clear an overstay it is better ,as you say ,to fly out from Swampy or Don Mueang.

[jacksam]

I know some would think my previous post is I'm suffering conspiracy theory syndrome. However recently there have been bulk random checks at phuket and pattaya. As stated, if I was on overstay I would fly directly out NOW. Why wait till March 20.

[Brer Fox]

@jacksam ........................

your post made me remember

I live in Udon Thani and 4 days ago the family ( myself , gf, gf's daughter and , gf's mother) did a trip to Nong Khai to visit a temple there.

Just south of nong Khai there is a police checkpoint....................on the way up it was not manned( BUT could have been) ,but when we were returning to Udon Thani , it was manned.

WE were stopped ( as car has very tinted windows), the daughter opened her window, officer looked inside, saw family group and we were waved on .

But there were about 5 cars pulled over and occupants being " checked" ..........................for what I dont know.

So maybe ......to clear an overstay it is better ,as you say ,to fly out from Swampy or Don Mueang.

Similarly I was on a minibus going from Nong Khai to Udon T and the bus was pulled over at that same place (military) for ID inspection. I produced my passport but they seemed only vaguely interested in making sure who I was rather that looking for possible overstayers. I was told they are mainly looking for illegals out of Laos.

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

[sunnyjim5]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Which bar was this "information" gleaned from ?

This is just scaremongering nonsense unless you can prove otherwise.

[thedemon]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Saw a similar post in another thread recently. I wonder how that could work.

If you fly Air Asia and book online, the information required includes full name, DOB and Thai ID card or Foreign Passport number.

On Nok Air they require first and last name only. No DOB and no ID/Passport info.

On Thai Airways, same as Nok, only first and last name required. No DOB, no ID/Passport.

It is possible to do online check-in on all the above so you need not have any contact with the check-in counter staff. The Gate ID check is only a very quick scan of any photo ID to ensure that the ID and boarding pass names match.

So ok, on Air Asia it would seem possible to do as you describe.

But on TG or Nok, they don't necessarily know your full name, your nationality, your passport number or your DOB.

So when John Smith boards his flight from BKK to CNX, how is it possible for Immigration to screen his visa status?

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Which bar was this "information" gleaned from ?

This is just scaremongering nonsense unless you can prove otherwise.

From the Immigration Detective who runs these searches...

[Surin1969]

my Advice clear your overstay because you never Know imigration start to look at every Foreigner stay in Thailand an tourist pepeoles an i believe Air Asia haveto giveto imigration a list of passenger Thai Airways nok air to

[BritTim]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

OK ... I have learned somethings here. Inspector Somchai Clouseau scans domestic flight passenger lists on the off chance that there will be someone on the flight who is on overstay. Finding a passenger called John Smith, he arranges a reception committee at the gate to see if this is the John Smith who has overstayed his tourist visa. This is most unfortunate for the totally innocent John Smith who was actually on the flight and must now miss his connection while he proves he is a different John Smith. I will ensure that I allow plenty of extra time for my connections when flying domestic in Thailand in future, in case I am such an unlucky unfortunate.

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

OK ... I have learned somethings here. Inspector Somchai Clouseau scans domestic flight passenger lists on the off chance that there will be someone on the flight who is on overstay. Finding a passenger called John Smith, he arranges a reception committee at the gate to see if this is the John Smith who has overstayed his tourist visa. This is most unfortunate for the totally innocent John Smith who was actually on the flight and must now miss his connection while he proves he is a different John Smith. I will ensure that I allow plenty of extra time for my connections when flying domestic in Thailand in future, in case I am such an unlucky unfortunate.

Immigration have your Nationality, Passport details, Name, DOB and Photo on record - its easy and quick enough to show you are not the same 'John Smith'...

Its also easy enough for the Immigration Detective to check your passport and immediately see evidence of overstay or not.

I doubt every domestic flight is checked and I don't know who many flights are checked each day, but I know for a fact that the passenger lists of domestic flights are checked for overstaying foreigners.

Its irrelevant if you believe this or not - it happens.

[BritTim]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

OK ... I have learned somethings here. Inspector Somchai Clouseau scans domestic flight passenger lists on the off chance that there will be someone on the flight who is on overstay. Finding a passenger called John Smith, he arranges a reception committee at the gate to see if this is the John Smith who has overstayed his tourist visa. This is most unfortunate for the totally innocent John Smith who was actually on the flight and must now miss his connection while he proves he is a different John Smith. I will ensure that I allow plenty of extra time for my connections when flying domestic in Thailand in future, in case I am such an unlucky unfortunate.

Immigration have your Nationality, Passport details, Name, DOB and Photo on record - its easy and quick enough to show you are not the same 'John Smith'...

Its also easy enough for the Immigration Detective to check your passport and immediately see evidence of overstay or not.

I doubt every domestic flight is checked and I don't know who many flights are checked each day, but I know for a fact that the passenger lists of domestic flights are checked for overstaying foreigners.

Its irrelevant if you believe this or not - it happens.

How do they actually nab the guilty John Smith? Do they enter the plane before passengers are allowed to disembark, or do they check the id of each passenger on exit from the plane? Since buses are often used for domestic flights, "catching at the gate" is often not possible. In all my time in Thailand, taking many domestic flights, I have never seen any evidence of immigration vetting passengers.

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Saw a similar post in another thread recently. I wonder how that could work.

If you fly Air Asia and book online, the information required includes full name, DOB and Thai ID card or Foreign Passport number.

On Nok Air they require first and last name only. No DOB and no ID/Passport info.

On Thai Airways, same as Nok, only first and last name required. No DOB, no ID/Passport.

It is possible to do online check-in on all the above so you need not have any contact with the check-in counter staff. The Gate ID check is only a very quick scan of any photo ID to ensure that the ID and boarding pass names match.

So ok, on Air Asia it would seem possible to do as you describe.

But on TG or Nok, they don't necessarily know your full name, your nationality, your passport number or your DOB.

So when John Smith boards his flight from BKK to CNX, how is it possible for Immigration to screen his visa status?

They see 6 John Smiths on their Immigration records. 2 of them are outside of Thailand. 3 of them are within their Visa.

1 John Smith is on overstay - They have his details (Nationality, Passport Number, Name, DOB) they also have his photo on record.

On the arriving flight they stand there and look for John Smith - I guess this is why they are called Immigration 'Detectives'... when they see someone who 'looks' like John smith, they ask to see his Passport.

Next time you are walking around arrivals (domestic or international) pay attention to your surroundings - there are usually plain clothed Immigration Detectives hanging around watching... Sometimes they'll be wearing Immigration Vests, other times they are simply in plain clothes with an ID card around their neck.

[sunnyjim5]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Saw a similar post in another thread recently. I wonder how that could work.

If you fly Air Asia and book online, the information required includes full name, DOB and Thai ID card or Foreign Passport number.

On Nok Air they require first and last name only. No DOB and no ID/Passport info.

On Thai Airways, same as Nok, only first and last name required. No DOB, no ID/Passport.

It is possible to do online check-in on all the above so you need not have any contact with the check-in counter staff. The Gate ID check is only a very quick scan of any photo ID to ensure that the ID and boarding pass names match.

So ok, on Air Asia it would seem possible to do as you describe.

But on TG or Nok, they don't necessarily know your full name, your nationality, your passport number or your DOB.

So when John Smith boards his flight from BKK to CNX, how is it possible for Immigration to screen his visa status?

They see 6 John Smiths on their Immigration records. 2 of them are outside of Thailand. 3 of them are within their Visa.

1 John Smith is on overstay - They have his details (Nationality, Passport Number, Name, DOB) they also have his photo on record.

On the arriving flight they stand there and look for John Smith - I guess this is why they are called Immigration 'Detectives'... when they see someone who 'looks' like John smith, they ask to see his Passport.

Next time you are walking around arrivals (domestic or international) pay attention to your surroundings - there are usually plain clothed Immigration Detectives hanging around watching... Sometimes they'll be wearing Immigration Vests, other times they are simply in plain clothes with an ID card around their neck.

I am very glad I do not live in a world of conspiracy theory and paranoia.

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective runs a search from the passenger list... he then has a list of the potential overstayers and waits for them as they exit the domestic flight.

People have been caught this way numerous times.

Any advice that you can show 'other' ID or that your Visa status will not be checked is wrong - there are no 'definites'

You may get away with it, you may not - its simply about how fortunate or unlucky you are on the day.

Saw a similar post in another thread recently. I wonder how that could work.

If you fly Air Asia and book online, the information required includes full name, DOB and Thai ID card or Foreign Passport number.

On Nok Air they require first and last name only. No DOB and no ID/Passport info.

On Thai Airways, same as Nok, only first and last name required. No DOB, no ID/Passport.

It is possible to do online check-in on all the above so you need not have any contact with the check-in counter staff. The Gate ID check is only a very quick scan of any photo ID to ensure that the ID and boarding pass names match.

So ok, on Air Asia it would seem possible to do as you describe.

But on TG or Nok, they don't necessarily know your full name, your nationality, your passport number or your DOB.

So when John Smith boards his flight from BKK to CNX, how is it possible for Immigration to screen his visa status?

They see 6 John Smiths on their Immigration records. 2 of them are outside of Thailand. 3 of them are within their Visa.

1 John Smith is on overstay - They have his details (Nationality, Passport Number, Name, DOB) they also have his photo on record.

On the arriving flight they stand there and look for John Smith - I guess this is why they are called Immigration 'Detectives'... when they see someone who 'looks' like John smith, they ask to see his Passport.

Next time you are walking around arrivals (domestic or international) pay attention to your surroundings - there are usually plain clothed Immigration Detectives hanging around watching... Sometimes they'll be wearing Immigration Vests, other times they are simply in plain clothes with an ID card around their neck.

I am very glad I do not live in a world of conspiracy theory and paranoia.

This advice was for the Op: It's neither conspiracy or paranoia.

This information comes first hand from an Immigration Detective at Don Muang Airport.

It amazes me how so many foreigners are naive and dumb enough to believe the Thai Immigration are dumb - they are most certainly not, they keep detailed computer records and can easily perform any checks they want on any flight.

Up until recently Thai Immigration have taken a very relaxed approach to their Visa enforcement, but it most certainly doesn't mean they don't know how to enforce these regulations - they do and are with increasing frequency.

[Morakot]

An Immigration Detective

What is an "Immigration Detective"? Is this a mistranslation or is there such a formal description at the Investigation and Interrogation Division of the Immigration Bureau?

[BritTim]

This advice was for the Op: It's neither conspiracy or paranoia.

This information comes first hand from an Immigration Detective at Don Muang Airport.

It amazes me how so many foreigners are naive and dumb enough to believe the Thai Immigration are dumb - they are most certainly not, they keep detailed computer records and can easily perform any checks they want on any flight.

Up until recently Thai Immigration have taken a very relaxed approach to their Visa enforcement, but it most certainly doesn't mean they don't know how to enforce these regulations - they do and are with increasing frequency.

Can you point to a single report on TV that shows someone caught in the way you describe? If not, one must assume that the numbers are small, and an awful lot of effort is presumably being invested for very little return.

Would it not be more efficient to work from bank records and nab them when they use an ATM machine or credit card?

[richard_smith237]

This advice was for the Op: It's neither conspiracy or paranoia.

This information comes first hand from an Immigration Detective at Don Muang Airport.

It amazes me how so many foreigners are naive and dumb enough to believe the Thai Immigration are dumb - they are most certainly not, they keep detailed computer records and can easily perform any checks they want on any flight.

Up until recently Thai Immigration have taken a very relaxed approach to their Visa enforcement, but it most certainly doesn't mean they don't know how to enforce these regulations - they do and are with increasing frequency.

Can you point to a single report on TV that shows someone caught in the way you describe? If not, one must assume that the numbers are small, and an awful lot of effort is presumably being invested for very little return.

Would it not be more efficient to work from bank records and nab them when they use an ATM machine or credit card?

No - because this isn't something I read on ThaiVisa.com... This is something which a good friend of mine who is an Immigration Detective at Don Muang told me... he has many such stories.

[norfolkandchance]

If you're in a hole, stop digging. Just saying

[richard_smith237]

An Immigration Detective

What is an "Immigration Detective"? Is this a mistranslation or is there such a formal description at the Investigation and Interrogation Division of the Immigration Bureau?

This is how my friend describes his position... whether or not its a mistranslation I'm not sure, his English is spot on, so I suspect its a fairly direct translation. He's part of a whole team who work shifts round the clock.