Overstay In Thailand Fine or Nightmare?

While the actual penalties for an overstay can be harsh, in most situations the reality is not. A minor fine can be simply paid at the border, you will fill out a form, sign your name, have your passport stamped and you’re on your way. The fine is 500 THB a day after the first day of overstay with a maximum of 20,000 THB which if the overstay is only a few days is cheaper and less hassle than doing a visa extension. Immigration Checkpoints are now even a simple task with in most cases the payment of a small amount of Thai Baht will be all that is necessary.    While for most people this is the reality, Thai law does state in fact that if you are found to be in an overstay status anywhere within the Kingdom of Thailand exceeding the time allowed according to the exemption stamp or visa stamp in your passport you have broken the law. You can plan on being sent to the Immigration Detention Center a place that has been criticized by the folks at Amnesty International as being no place to spend any amount of time. In all likelihood you will be held there until such time that you can arrange for your self and by yourself with no help what so ever from the Immigration Officials to get your fine paid and book a flight to fly out of the country. Even if it takes a few months you will remain there until everything is completed to the satisfaction of the Immigration Officials. Just in case you ask yourself does this really happen, you can bet your last Thai Baht it does and more times than you would think! 
While Immigration will usually settle this at the border, since you have clearly stated the obvious of your intentions to be leaving the Kingdom anyway. However if you are found anyplace else but at the border or airport and not a tourist on the way out you are then considered to be an Illegal Immigrant and that is the way you will be treated regardless of how extenuating the situations are you try to come up with for your defense. This is Not a pleasant position to be in.
To consciously risk the chance of detention for up to a few months in a place that would make the most hardened of criminal’s nauseas as opposed to taking a little extra time and a small expense to head to the Immigration Office to keep yourself legal is pretty ridiculous!     If you have questions or concerns regarding your current visa status contact VisaForThailand.com for expert advice. If you are planning to come to Thailand and will require a visa for whatever the nature of your stay VisaForThailand.com are the visa specialists when it comes to getting visas for foreign traveler’s wanting to have extended stays in the Kingdom of Thailand.