Over staying

[Siam Addict]

Looking to book this years holidays and it looks like I can have a total trip of 31-32 days in Thailand.

Am I better getting a sixty day Visa or just paying the fine when I leave? Also will I get in if the departure date is over 30 days?

[Stillearly]

YMMV ...

I was overstaying by two days ( I didn't realise when I booked ) , went to immigration in Thailand and they told me not to worry and it would be cheaper to pay at the Airport ... it was 500 Baht per day iirc , and wasn't an issue , they took me to one side to make the payment then stamped my passport as normal 

Some people have been told by airlines, they have to have a visa for longer stays , but it's never happened to me , all of my recent trips have been over a month .. and no one has checked I have a visa or onward travel ...

🤷‍♂️

for peace of mind a visa is probably your best route..

Edited January 16 by Stillearly

[Horizondave]

I believe it is likely that an overstay of a few days would not be a problem if making it to the airport to pay the fine. I believe it is a major problem though, if you are stopped by the BIB etc., prior to getting to the airport during that overstay period.

As per a link below:

If you are caught by the authorities while overstaying in Thailand, you will be arrested, detained, and will face strict punishment and probable deportation. Immigration police are known to undertake random checks on foreign nationals in entertainment areas, on the street, and at checkpoints.

http://www.belaws.com/thailand/overstaying-your-visa/

Another site offers the following:

 

What Happens If I Am Arrested by Immigration?

If you are arrested by immigration for overstaying your visa, the penalty is far worse.

It is likely that you will be taken to an immigration detention centre. After this, you will be subject to the following ban:

Overstay less than 1-year: 5 year ban from Thailand

Overstay more than 1-year: 10 year ban from Thailand

Edited January 16 by Horizondave

[Siam Addict]

Thanks guys, in twenty years of visiting Thailand I have only had the police ask to see my passport once. But that was a year ago in Tree Town.

So, am I tempting fate? I have the sort of luck that I will get stopped on the way back to the airport.

[Nightcrawler]

52 minutes ago, Siam Addict said:

Thanks guys, in twenty years of visiting Thailand I have only had the police ask to see my passport once. But that was a year ago in Tree Town.

So, am I tempting fate? I have the sort of luck that I will get stopped on the way back to the airport.

The chances are slim of that again during your last 2 days. 

I'm sure it will be fine. I have overstayed a couple of times and just paid at immigration and there's no stamp on passport of overstay. 

 

[Aqualung]

Why not just cut your trip by 48 hours? 

Save a lot of possible hassle and I doubt you would be missing much. 

[john luke]

An overnight trip to Cambodia, Laos or Singapore is a good option.

[Trip]

4 hours ago, Siam Addict said:

Thanks guys, in twenty years of visiting Thailand I have only had the police ask to see my passport once. But that was a year ago in Tree Town.

So, am I tempting fate? I have the sort of luck that I will get stopped on the way back to the airport.

Rhetorical surely. Of course you are tempting fate.

But you do you, for most of us even the possibly 1 in a million chance of being in Immigration lockup with the bright side being deportation hopefully within a week and banned from Thailand for years is just not worth that type of risk when it can be avoided entirely very easily.

Hopefully if you win that lottery someone will provide you shoes in lockup.

[maipenrai]

I've been a day late leaving twice over the years and have just explained at the airport that I made a mistake while booking - easy to do as I wasn't aware back then that your arrival day counts as the first day - and they just waved me through without charging me. 

[Glasseye]

All of the above is good advice.

Always best to avoid the possibility. Best to be on the side of precaution and avoidance whenever possible. 

Things can arise unexpectedly for many different reasons that may cause an "overstay" for longer periods. Those things are varied, but can happen to any of us. In those cases best to hire a reputible lawyer or someone with experience in dealing with such matters. It can save you a boatload of trouble and money. Legal advice and assistance over here is a fraction of the cost for such "assistance" back in the West. Don't hesitate to utilize such service if you find yourself in an unexpected situation. 

As mentioned, if you find yourself in an overstay situation, seek proper assistance and "lay low" during that time. And keep your mouth shut about it. Don't do anything (even something as simple as showing your passport to a bank teller) that may expose you until you get on that plane.

[Zambo]

6 hours ago, Siam Addict said:

Thanks guys, in twenty years of visiting Thailand I have only had the police ask to see my passport once. But that was a year ago in Tree Town.

So, am I tempting fate? I have the sort of luck that I will get stopped on the way back to the airport.

Did you have your passport with you in Tree Town? I never have my passport with me when out and about in Thailand, especially if drinking (except for long drives when i may be stopped by the traffic police). 

Earlier i posted about colour photocopying a passport half size and laminating so it is credit card size - works in some countries.

Or alternatively nowadays can you just show a copy on your phone?

[Trip]

17 minutes ago, Zambo said:

Did you have your passport with you in Tree Town? I never have my passport with me when out and about in Thailand, especially if drinking (except for long drives when i may be stopped by the traffic police). 

Earlier i posted about colour photocopying a passport half size and laminating so it is credit card size - works in some countries.

Or alternatively nowadays can you just show a copy on your phone?

My experience with showing a Thai cop a phone copy when he asks for your passport is that it depends on the cop. I had one accept it and another time a different copy refused the phone evidence but did accept a color paper copy which also had a visa stamp in the copy.

YMMV as it does in virtually every situation in Thailand involving officials.

[Glasseye]

A passport photo is useless unless you also have a copy of the visa stamp page. Otherwise you can be subjected to anything from being escorted back to your residence (hotel) to retrieve the actual passport to being detained in a lock up facility. 

None of the above is something I would want to experience. Especially if I was on the piss with a hottie I would soon be reaming delicately.

[Zambo]

1 hour ago, Glasseye said:

A passport photo is useless unless you also have a copy of the visa stamp page. Otherwise you can be subjected to anything from being escorted back to your residence (hotel) to retrieve the actual passport to being detained in a lock up facility. 

None of the above is something I would want to experience. Especially if I was on the piss with a hottie I would soon be reaming delicately.

That would lead to an improvement in the laminated, reduced size copy idea. One side is the photo page and the other side the entry stamp. Just means you need a new one for each trip. I would never carry my passport in case of loss, theft or getting very wet for reasons that are totally unpredictable on a night out.

[Horizondave]

I believe it costs 1900 baht to extend your visa exempt for another 30 days. Surely this would be  a better choice if you are the type who stresses over these things. 

Of course a 60 day tourist would be the best option and would allow you to have a stress free trip. It is so unlikely that you would be stopped, but it does happen, you just don't know, and the consequences don't bear thinking about.

Also it would cost you 1000 baht to pay 2 day overstay at the airport, so only 900 baht extra to extend your visa exempt in immigration.

For me, the hassles of getting a 60 day tourist visa or extending the 30 day exempt are nothing compared to the awful consequences of being caught by authorities as an overstay before heading to the airport. As much as you could lay low, do you really want to do that, when on your holidays. Difficult also to claim to immigration, you forgot etc., if your ticket clearly shows you had bookings for flights more than 30 days apart. 

For me it is just part of travel planning, get the appropriate visa or be prepared to extend in Thailand.

Then again, I am the type that doesn't want the stress or hassle involved with being a possible overstay. Plenty do take the chance, but that is not me.

[KWA]

Although it's mentioned above that an onward/return ticket within 30 days is not always required you may end up not getting here at all if it's requested by the check-in agent for your flight.

At least prepare access to a dummy or refundable ticket just in case.

Regarding the overstay, it may count against you if sometime in the future you apply for an Elite visa as I believe any overstay disqualifies you.  Do check this though as i'm not sure where I came across this.

A tourist E-visa is an easy option and doesn't take up a page in your passport like a tourist visa used to, as well as removing the onward ticket question.

[maipenrai]

1 hour ago, Zambo said:

That would lead to an improvement in the laminated, reduced size copy idea. One side is the photo page and the other side the entry stamp. Just means you need a new one for each trip. I would never carry my passport in case of loss, theft or getting very wet for reasons that are totally unpredictable on a night out.

Just had my old version of this replaced the other day here in BKK for 150b, right on Sukhumvit near Soi 7 - photo page on one side, visa stamps on the other, laminated and wallet sized. 

[Lemondropkid]

3 hours ago, maipenrai said:

Just had my old version of this replaced the other day here in BKK for 150b, right on Sukhumvit near Soi 7 - photo page on one side, visa stamps on the other, laminated and wallet sized. 

Nice reminder to me, I've got an old version that needs replacing.

Had my done as the Asia Copy Center between Sukhumvit Soi 31 and 33 BKK. Can't recall the exact cost but certainly wasn't more than the 150 Baht you've paid.

 

[boydeste]

I have always struggled to understand why guys put themselves at risk when the potential consequences are so severe. 

Stay within the rules is my advice. 

 

[Glasseye]

I got "hit up" regarding the onward ticket issue at JFK check in on my last flight over here. I had no return ticket booked because I was moving there.

I also had the "Thai Pass" (or whatever it was called) and with that made the false assumption that I was covered. Mistake.

The airport at the time was a madhouse. The most congested airport scene I have ever been in. The check in staff (JAL) was obviously understaffed. I made my best pitch I could respectively come up with and stuck to my guns. The agent was doing his job, we were both maintaining our composure under enormously stressful circumstances. He even called his supervisor over for interpretation of all the documents, etc. The supervisor was a cnut. 

Yet, I was able to work out a compromise. It was getting close to boarding time because of the delays, but made a deal. He agreed that if I could show proof of return or onward ticket I could approach the counter without having to stand in line again (if I had it would have taken too long and I would have missed the flight). 

I walked off to the side, got on my phone and purchased a refundable ticket with a bogus return date, had the confirmation emailed to me. I returned to the counter and showed him the confirmation. It worked. 

Even though he pissed me off I thanked him and told him I respected he was following his responsibilities. At the same time I mentioned he was working in a difficult position under conditions that were not his doing (unerstaffing). I also acknowledged that the responsibility regarding the return ticket was mine. The guy looked at me as if he wanted to hug me. He then went out of his way to call the gate and inform them that I might be a little late. 

I made it to boarding within five minutes before final. The rest is history.

[Siam Addict]

15 hours ago, Zambo said:

Did you have your passport with you in Tree Town? I never have my passport with me when out and about in Thailand, especially if drinking (except for long drives when i may be stopped by the traffic police). 

Earlier i posted about colour photocopying a passport half size and laminating so it is credit card size - works in some countries.

Or alternatively nowadays can you just show a copy on your phone?

I have a laminated copy that I keep in my wallet, the problem is it didn't show my date of arrival. But the BIB was happy with it.

[Stillearly]

Been visiting for over 30 years and I've never carried a copy of my passport or stamp and never been asked for it ..... famous last words 555

[Glasseye]

9 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Been visiting for over 30 years and I've never carried a copy of my passport or stamp and never been asked for it ..... famous last words 555

 

Oh dear Lord Buddha. Next time I see you I am going to rub your bald head, because you are indeed a lucky man (especially when stumbling around on Loi Kroh Road).  lol

Also, the next time I see you I am going to chew your ass out if you are not carrying a copy with you. 

Show me your papers, or else !

 

 

[Horizondave]

48 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Been visiting for over 30 years and I've never carried a copy of my passport or stamp and never been asked for it ..... famous last words 555

I have only ever shown my passport once and that was at a vehicle check on the Expressway in Bangkok. I had the laminated copy.

Thing is, I have never worried about being stopped as I am prepared, but I would hate to be unprepared and then stopped at a checkpoint.

[Stillearly]

15 minutes ago, Horizondave said:

I have only ever shown my passport once and that was at a vehicle check on the Expressway in Bangkok. I had the laminated copy.

Thing is, I have never worried about being stopped as I am prepared, but I would hate to be unprepared and then stopped at a checkpoint.

I only use taxis and public transport in Thailand, if I was driving a car or motorbike I think I would be better prepared and have the necessary paperwork/ copies .. 

But as a single traveller I should have some form of identification on me , just incase I was involved in an accident , plus my travel insurance company , policy number  ..