The Fine Art of Clearing a Five and a Half Year Overstay

[Fabricus]

Just another overstay report to me. One of many that have been posted. Just scroll through the pages of this forum. I have a few in my messenger inbox that are more interesting than the ones posted on this forum.

Just another topic to keep an eye on and remove the worst posts that break the rules like I have already done in this topic.

We scanned your posts before deciding what to do. In one post you discussed reports about longterm overstayers being turned away from the southern borders. I'm sure somewhere you also mentioned reports of some overstayers being taken up to IDC in Bangkok.

Until this point we'd been planning to head to Khota Baru via Narathiwat. It was because of your posts that we decided to fly. You also said somewhere that you had no reports of people successfully clearing long overstays in the deep south. Well, now you have one.

===

I stand by my earlier comments about not believing much of what's written in this sub-forum. I think a lot of it is garbage. I also think there's way too much petty-minded drivel written by individuals who desperately need to find other interests.

One guy, for example, is telling everyone there are only three visa agencies in Penang. This is complete BS. Chulia Street abounds with tour operators, travel agents, bars, guesthouses and forex joints who'll happily arrange visas (150 Ringit for the visa + 40 Ringit for the agency ).

It's also common knowledge that Thai immigration officials at southern borders generally expect a bit of cash from tourists with visas issued in Penang. Typically, van drivers taking tourists from George Town to Sadao will ask passengers to put 200 or 500 Baht in their passports. To suggest that this is unusual or unnecessary is wrong. We wanted a 'no questions asked" clearance back into Thailand and that's exactly what we got. It's also worth pointing out that the guy I was with wasn't asked to show an onward ticket (which he didn't have) or proof of funds to support himself.

[bangkoklasse]

Fantastic, he cleared a long overstay before the 20th of March. Like thousends of other people have done

[ubonjoe]

Just another overstay report to me. One of many that have been posted. Just scroll through the pages of this forum. I have a few in my messenger inbox that are more interesting than the ones posted on this forum.

Just another topic to keep an eye on and remove the worst posts that break the rules like I have already done in this topic.

We scanned your posts before deciding what to do. In one post you discussed reports about longterm overstayers being turned away from the southern borders. I'm sure somewhere you also mentioned reports of some overstayers being taken up to IDC in Bangkok.

Until this point we'd been planning to head to Khota Baru via Narathiwat. It was because of your posts that we decided to fly. You also said somewhere that you had no reports of people successfully clearing long overstays in the deep south. Well, now you have one.

I think you got the IDC part from a post about going to an immigration office not a border crossing.

Still no reports of clearing a long overstay at a southern border crossing that I am aware of. You left from an airport.

[BritTim]

I stand by my earlier comments about not believing much of what's written in this sub-forum. I think a lot of it is garbage. I also think there's way too much petty-minded drivel written by individuals who desperately need to find other interests.

I agree with you on this.

One guy, for example, is telling everyone there are only three visa agencies in Penang. This is complete BS. Chulia Street abounds with tour operators, travel agents, bars, guesthouses and forex joints who'll happily arrange visas (150 Ringit for the visa + 40 Ringit for the agency ).

It is quite unclear how many real agents there are in Penang. The agent I have used charges 30 MYR service fee, but also handles the applications for several other so called agents that charge more.

It's also common knowledge that Thai immigration officials at southern borders generally expect a bit of cash from tourists with visas issued in Penang. Typically, van drivers taking tourists from George Town to Sadao will ask passengers to put 200 or 500 Baht in their passports. To suggest that this is unusual or unnecessary is wrong. We wanted a 'no questions asked" clearance back into Thailand and that's exactly what we got. It's also worth pointing out that the guy I was with wasn't asked to show an onward ticket (which he didn't have) or proof of funds to support himself.

It is common knowledge that the Sadao border point is dirty. Can you point at any posts that suggest the same is true of the other Southern border posts? Once you have a visa, crossing back into Thailand through any border crossing other than Sadao is usually routine. There is never a need to show an onward ticket when entering with a visa.

I have to say that this thread proves once again the popular adage that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[thaibreaker]

Let us take a look at this another way.

While the OP and his overstaying friend were thinking this was most dramatic and the only true story out there, they went through hell to accomplish a clean slate for his friend. Sweating and acting like they were drug mules, I can only imagine the relief when it was all over.

That should mean non of them will ever overstay again. Mission accomplished.

[Moonmoon]

What is the point of writing this "normal" clearing of overstay before the 20 March deadline?

yes what fine art? I m not proud but i overstayed for 6 years. Paid the fine, spoke nicely to the immigration officers n answered my situation honestly n they assured me i m not blacklisted n were nice to me throughout at swampy airport. What fine art is needed except humility?

N i went back to my country n m back now with a tourist visa, no need bribe or anything, just correct relevant documents. N recently i got married n will be converting my visa to a marriage visa in few mths time.

U want a story? I think mine is better when i went back to my country n was thrown in jail for 1 day for being away too long, n the military got all sorts of qns for me till finally there was nothing on me n clear n i was released the next day.