A British man has been arrested by Thai authorities for overstaying his tourist visa by a record 25 years. The unidentified man arrived in Thailand on January 9, 2000, on a 30-day visa exemption. After his visa ran out, he did not obtain an extension and was able to stay under the radar for more than two decades.
He stayed in Bangkok for 13 years and then moved to Chiang Mai, where he stayed for another 12 years. He even got a new passport during this time, perhaps to remain incognito. He was arrested by authorities as part of a targeted operation in Chang Klan district of Chiang Mai. He has been charged with visa overstaying and is now awaiting deportation to the United Kingdom.
This case illustrates the difficulties Thai immigration officials encounter in tracking long-term visa overstays. Visa overstaying in Thailand is a serious crime, punishable by fines, detention, and deportation. The Immigration Bureau has stepped up efforts to track down and arrest violators of visa rules to ensure public order and national security.
The arrest is a warning to tourists and expatriates about respecting visa rules. The arrested people for overstaying can be detained until they can pay their fines and arrange for tickets out of Thailand. Foreigners need to make sure that their travel documents are valid and respect the law of the land to escape stringent punishment.
Following this incident, Thai authorities urge citizens and visitors to report any suspected visa offenses. The public may report to local immigration offices or through official means to supply information, helping maintain the country’s immigration laws and ensuring public safety.
