British Citizen Arrested in Thailand for Overstaying Visa by 25 Years

A British man was arrested in Thailand for overstaying his 30-day visa by a record 25 years. He lived in Chiang Mai after spending years in Bangkok with a Thai woman and their child, relying on family support. Thai police have charged him and are investigating how he evaded detection for so long.

A British individual has been apprehended in Thailand for overstaying his 30-day visa by an unprecedented 25 years. The 60-year-old man entered Thailand on January 9, 2000, under a short-term tourist visa. Authorities have labeled his 9,135-day visa overstay as a record-breaking duration, surpassing the previous record held by a Pakistani national who had overstayed by 10 years.

On Monday, the man was arrested by immigration officials in Chiang Mai, where he had resided for the past 12 years. Prior to moving to Chiang Mai for economic reasons, he spent the first 13 years in Bangkok. During this time, he formed a family with a Thai woman and had a child, but currently lacks employment and relies financially on support from family in the United Kingdom.

Thai police indicated that the man evaded detection for an extensive period. His arrest came amid a crackdown on foreigners residing in the country without the proper legal status. Initially, he failed to seek an extension after his visa had expired; however, he successfully secured a new passport in 2018.

Following his arrest, he was taken to the Chiang Mai City Police Station for processing and awaits deportation back to the United Kingdom. He has been charged with remaining in Thailand beyond the terms of his visa. Officials are investigating the circumstances that allowed him to reside in the country for so long without detection.

The authorities executed this arrest during inspections of areas vulnerable to illegitimate foreign residency. Chiang Mai, being the second largest city in Thailand, has a population of around 1.2 million and is crucial in managing immigration compliance.

The case of the British man who overstayed his visa by 25 years highlights the challenges of immigration control in Thailand. Despite building a life and family there, he now faces deportation due to his failure to comply with visa regulations. Thai immigration authorities are intensifying efforts to address illegal stays, demonstrating the importance of adherence to legal entry and residency requirements.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk