Briton Arrested in Thailand for Record 25-Year Visa Overstay

A UK citizen was arrested in Thailand for overstaying his visa by 25 years, totaling 9,135 days, marking a record in the country. He lived undetected in Chiang Mai after spending years in Bangkok, relying on family support. Authorities have charged him with illegal stay and are proceeding with his deportation.

A British national has been arrested in Thailand for a record visa overstay of 9,135 days, exceeding his initial 30-day tourist visa by over 25 years. At 60 years old, he arrived on January 9, 2000, and managed to evade Thai authorities for over two decades. Thai police have described his overstay as a ‘record’, surpassing a previous case involving a Pakistani national who overstayed by 10 years.

The unidentified man was apprehended in Chiang Mai, where he lived for the past 12 years after spending 13 years in Bangkok, where he had built a family with a Thai woman and fathered a child. Although he has not held a formal job, he reportedly relied on financial support from relatives back in the UK. As a result of a recent crackdown on illegal foreign residents, authorities located him during routine inspections.

Authorities have since charged him with being a foreigner who overstayed his visa, initiating deportation procedures back to the UK. Notably, he had not applied for an extension on his visa after its expiration and successfully renewed his passport in 2018. As investigations continue, officials are scrutinizing how he managed to remain in the country undetected for so long.

The case highlights the issue of illegal overstays in Thailand, with stricter enforcement of immigration policies being implemented. This unusual situation, involving a 25-year overstay, illustrates the potential challenges authorities face in monitoring foreign populations. Future measures will likely focus on preventing such long-term illegal residencies in the country.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk