Briton Arrested in Thailand for Overstaying Visa by 25 Years
A Briton was arrested in Thailand after overstaying his visa by 25 years, setting a record with 9,135 days beyond the permitted duration. He lived in Chiang Mai with a Thai partner and a child and avoided arrest until now. He faces deportation back to the UK after admitting to not applying for a visa extension.
A British national was arrested in Thailand after overstaying his tourist visa for over 25 years. This lengthy 9,135-day overstay, according to Thai police, sets a new record, surpassing the previous mark held by a Pakistani individual who overstayed for 10 years. The man, now aged 60, initially entered Thailand on January 9, 2000, but evaded authorities for more than two decades.
The arrested individual lived predominantly in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s largest northern city, where he resided for the last 12 years following a 13-year stint in Bangkok. During his time in Bangkok, he established a life with a Thai woman, with whom he has a child. Despite living without a job, he relied on financial support from relatives in Britain.
After avoiding detection for numerous years, he was apprehended as part of a crackdown on illegal foreign residents when immigration police inspected various locations in Chiang Mai. Thai authorities have refrained from disclosing his name while they investigate his prolonged stay in the country.
Upon his arrest, the man admitted that he had not pursued a visa extension when his initial permit expired. Notably, he successfully obtained a passport renewal in 2018. He has since been charged as a foreigner who illegally remained in Thailand beyond the expiration of his visa and is awaiting deportation back to the United Kingdom.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges of immigration enforcement in Thailand, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Chiang Mai. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to visa regulations and exemplifies the consequences of noncompliance with immigration laws.
In summary, a British man was apprehended in Thailand after a staggering 25-year visa overstay. His arrest highlights significant immigration enforcement issues in the region. While he built a family and a life in Thailand during his extended stay, the authorities have moved to deport him as part of efforts to address undocumented foreign residents.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
