US Woman Held for 'Visa Run' Overstay Blunder

[dirtydog]

US Woman Held for 'Visa Run' Overstay Blunder

By Alan Morison
Thursday, October 14, 2010
UPDATE

The American who unexpectedly found herself arrested and detained in Bangkok signed in at Phuket's On On Hotel in Phuket Town simply as ''Nick.'' A spokesperson at the hotel said today ''Nick'' was a friendly guest who had been staying there about two months. She's aged 20-30, with braided hair.

Did you know ''Nick''? If so please contact Phuketwan at editor[at]phuketwan.com


Original Report

AN AMERICAN woman tourist is being held in detention in Bangkok because she was unable to pay her overstay fine on a ''visa run'' from Phuket to Ranong, on the border with Burma.

Precise circumstances of the case are being clarified, but it appears the woman either misunderstood the conditions of her permission to stay in Thailand or failed to realise there was a 500 baht a day penalty for overstaying.

As a result, she was arrested by Immigration officials when she attempted a one-day ''visa run'' from Phuket to Ranong and was unable to pay the overstay fine.

The woman, a backpacker and yoga practitioner, has since been transferred to the Bangkok immigration detention centre, leaving her possessions at the hotel where she was staying in Phuket City.

The US embassy has made arrangements to have the woman's belongings transferred from the hotel, where the management held her luggage for a week.

The incident comes as a dramatic reminder to travellers to be aware of the precise requirements of their visa to Thailand or entry permit. Often, problems arise when visitors misread visas or entry stamps.

Once Immigration officials detect a violation, they are obliged to impose a 500-baht-a-day penalty, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht.

The latest case involving the American woman closely follows an incident involving another American, Dean Mancuso, 50, who is still in a cell at Immigration headquarters in Phuket City, awaiting further developments.

US embassy officials are endeavoring to trace members of Mr Mancuso's family in the US in the hope that they will come to his rescue.

Mr Mancuso has led a hand-to-mouth existence, cadging money from tourists on Phuket, since losing his passport in 2004 and opting not to replace it out of fear and embarrassment.

Mr Mancuso's arrest leaves his Thai wife and two young daughters facing even greater poverty. He is reportedly being treated well at Phuket Immigration, despite sharing a cell with about 12 others.

Phuket Wan

[billy the kid]

thought these yogis were aware of shit.

[blue]

''signed in at Phuket's On On Hotel in Phuket Town simply as ''Nick.'' ''

They demand my passport at every hotel in thailand i've stayed at, I must look like a criminal ...

They just let you leave the USA , even if you have overstayed your visa, very kind of them -no fine ,however next time you try and enter they will arrest and maybee deport you .

[Nostradamus]

Precise circumstances of the case are being clarified

In other words the reason for her detention is not known.

Once Immigration officials detect a violation, they are obliged to impose a 500-baht-a-day penalty, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht.

That is at an entry or exit point but they still can arrest and detain you although usually a fine is levied.

If you are caught on overstay anywhere else you probably will be arrested and detained.