October 28 2003

Thai police target visa cheats

Last week's arrests of western tourists by Thai police were on a much larger scale than I had realised (See Goodbye APEC and good riddance). However, the story has not been reported in the papers.

Raids of all of the popular nightlife districts in Bangkok were backed up by sweeps of the cheaper apartment buildings favoured by westerners - including those on Soi Ekkamai. Those who could not produce passports or valid visas were taken away in handcuffs. No details have been released but it is thought that hundreds were arrested.

Currently, the Thai authorities are taking visa overstays very seriously. Tourists are ending up in jail, sometimes for months, pending deportation. For an idea of the appalling conditions they have to suffer, take a look at the posting (See Smile, you're in Thai jail).

If you have overstayed your visa, you should go to the airport with an international air ticket and plenty of cash. Dress smartly too. The fine for your overstay is 200 baht per day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You can then board your plane without fear of arrest.

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[Posted to Visa Run by David]

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Readers' comments

Dana says:

The potential for these kinds of indignities from these third world jackboot fascists is why I always carry so much heat and ammo. It may be pizza oven hot in the month of April but I don't leave the farang friendly apartment building without front and back flak jacket, chromed Glock, and folding stock short burst weapons. I also carry smoke bombs to drop off the back of cycles and C-4 plastique to get out of police holding cells. God, I love vacationing in the Land of Smiles.

June 23, 2004 5:52 AM

Chris says:

I was stopped last month twice by police officers requesting to see my passport. I was approached the first time at Lotus on Ratchada and the second time while walking down Sukhumvit at Soi 19. Both times the officers were not in uniform and both times I had my passport which is for me a very rare thing to be walking around Bangkok with such ID. My girlfriend had asked the officer what was going on and according to him all of the officers are to stop foreigners and request passports with the specific goal to nab farangs overstaying their visas.

Both times I asked the officers to show their ID's, which they gladly did and both times the officers were extremely nice, one even asked if I was enjoying Bangkok. I am sure that if my passport and entry papers did not line up the mood would have changed as another dodgy farang would have been hauled off to jail.

June 23, 2004 6:09 AM

TANAI KWAI says:

Very useful info, Chris. Especially as I am of Mexican descent I've got my share of Moorish blood. Wouldn't make it through an airport in the U.S. without a close shave.

More than once I have been accosted by irate Arabic-speaking cleric-types around Sukh Soi 3. In loud, phlegmy tones they try to lecture me about having a Thai girl with long, immodestly exposed legs at my side. (They usually have some poor wretch who looks like Casper the Friendly Ghost in tow.)

Since I'll have my American passport on me next time I can just swat them on the nose with it. Or, I could just wear this T-shirt...

http://politicaljunky.blogspot.com/2004/06/try-and-stop-us.html

(thanks)

June 23, 2004 8:23 AM

joe black says:

Too bad you farangs stand out too much among Thais. As Asian , I get away from the problems with the police plus get all the goodies that a foreigner can enjoy in the Land of Smiles... :p

August 4, 2004 1:27 PM