British National Arrested in Thailand for Remarkable 25-Year Visa Overstay
A British man was arrested in Thailand after overstaying his tourist visa by 25 years, a record duration. He had lived undetected in the country since January 2000, forming a family and relying on support from Britain. He faces deportation following his arrest in Chiang Mai as part of immigration enforcement efforts.
A British national has been apprehended in Thailand after overstaying his 30-day visa by an astonishing 25 years, which has reportedly set a new record. The individual, now 60 years old, originally entered Thailand on January 9, 2000, and managed to elude Thai authorities for 9,135 days. According to Thai police, this overstay surpasses the previous record held by a Pakistani man who had overstayed his visa by 10 years.
The man was arrested by immigration officers in Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, where he had resided for the past twelve years. Initially, he lived in Bangkok for thirteen years, where he established a life with a Thai partner and fathered a child. Due to financial constraints, the family relocated to Chiang Mai, yet the man was reportedly unemployed and dependent on his family for support from Britain.
After evading capture for so long, he is now set to face deportation as part of an immigration enforcement initiative. Thai authorities have not disclosed his identity while they investigate the circumstances that led to his prolonged stay. The individual acknowledged that he did not apply for an extension after his visa expired, and he successfully renewed his passport in 2018.
Furthermore, the Chiang Mai Immigration Facebook page announced that the man had been charged as a foreigner who entered and overstayed in the Kingdom after the expiration of his permit. His apprehension occurred during inspections targeting locations frequented by foreigners residing in the country illegally. Chiang Mai, with a population of approximately 1.2 million, is Thailand’s second-largest city.
In conclusion, a British man has been arrested in Thailand for an unprecedented visa overstay of 25 years, prompting a thorough investigation by local immigration authorities. He had successfully evaded arrest for nearly a quarter-century while living with a Thai partner and raising a child. This incident highlights the challenges authorities face in monitoring and enforcing immigration laws. He will soon be deported back to the United Kingdom as legal proceedings continue against him.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
