“Good guys in, bad guys out” is the message from Pol. Lt. Gen. Nathathorn Prousoontorn, Immigration Bureau Commissioner, as immigration officials prepare to launch its latest crackdown foreign visitors who overstay their visas. As of 20th March 2016, anyone who overstays in Thailand can expect to be blacklisted and barred from re-entering Thailand. Ahead of the new regulations, the Immigration Bureau has updated it’s website, fully detailing the penalties for those who overstay. The new look Immigration site also includes a visa advice page, complete with a cartoon video which whilst informative, has to be seen to be believed! If you are reading this knowing you are on overstay, it would be advisable to go and sort the issue out before the new regulation begins on 20th March 2016.
Below is the official notice.
Ministry of Interior’s Order 1/2558 Regarding Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Admission to the Kingdom of Thailand
When entering the Kingdom of Thailand, please be mindful of the last day on your stay permit and DO NOT stay longer than the permitted date. If you have already overstayed beyond the permitted date, you must leave the country before the order’s enforced date (20 March 2016). If you have already overstayed beyond the permitted date and do not leave the country before the order’s enforced date (20 March 2016), you will be banned from re-entering the Kingdom of Thailand as shown in the details below:
Alien Surrendering to Authorities: An alien who overstays more than 90 days beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 1 year, starting from the departure date. An alien who overstays more than 1 year beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 3 years, starting from the departure date. An alien who overstays more than 3 years beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 5 years, starting from the departure date. An alien who overstays more than 5 years beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 10 years, starting from the departure date.
Alien Being Arrested and Prosecuted: An alien who is caught overstaying less than 1 year beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 5 years, starting from the departure date. An alien who is caught overstaying more than 1 year beyond his/her permitted date will be banned from re-entering the country for 10 years, starting from the departure date. If you have already overstayed beyond your permitted date before the order’s enforced date (20 March 2016), you may surrender to the authorities at the Immigration Checkpoint (land border, seaport, and airport). You must pay a fine of 500/day, but not exceeding 20,000 baht before you are allowed to leave the Kingdom of Thailand.
