BANGKOK : -- Starting from August 29 Thai Immigrations Bureau will ban visitors who overstay their visas in Thailand. The longer the overstay period, the longer will be the re-entry ban.
The ban will be imposed on any foreigner found to have overstayed his or her visa or visa-exemption period.
Immigration Bureau decided to mete out such tough punishment after the current penalty, a maximum fine of Bt20,000, had apparently failed to serve as a sufficient deterrent.
Reporter said a total of 70,715 foreigners were chargedlast year for overstaying their visas.
From January to June this year, the number of visa overstayers reached up to 30,359.
Immigration Division spokesman Colonel Worawat Amornwiwat said foreigners who turn themselves in would be barred from re-entering Thailand for one year if their overstay time exceeds 90 days.
The ban will be valid for three years if their overstay period is more than one year. Those overstaying for more than three years will be barred from coming back to Thailand for five full years.
In the event an overstay exceeds five years, their re-entry to Thailand will be prohibited for the next 10 years.
Starting from August 29, foreigners who failed to produce their passports would be fined up to Bt20,000 and jailed for up to two years., He said.
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