Foreigner overstay blacklist due to start in March

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau could start to blacklist foreigners who overstay their visas as early as March. According to bureau chief Pol Maj Gen Natthorn Prosunthorn, the royal decree on the blacklisting is expected to be promulgated in late March. He says that foreigners would be divided into two separate groups, those who overstay and hand themselves in and those who are caught and arrested.
The first group will be subject to a 3 year entry ban for a one year overstay, those with more than three years overstay will be banned for 5 years. Visitors with 5 years overstay will be banned for 10 years.

Those falling into the second group will be banned for 5 – 10 years depending on the length of overstay.

He went on to say that a large number of foreigners would contact the authorities before the law comes into effect, this will facilitate authorities monitoring of foreigners and screen the quality of visitors. The existing law of a fine of only Bt20,000 it too weak he went on to say.

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