British Man Arrested in Thailand for 25-Year Visa Overstay

A British national was arrested in Thailand for overstaying his visa by more than 25 years, representing a record violation. He lived in Chiang Mai, was previously in Bangkok, and supported his family without employment. After his arrest, he faces deportation back to the UK as part of immigration enforcement efforts.

A British citizen has been apprehended in Thailand after surpassing his 30-day tourist visa by an astonishing 25 years. The individual, who is now aged 60, originally entered Thailand on January 9, 2000. This extensive overstay, totaling 9,135 days, is deemed a record by Thai authorities, exceeding the former record held by a Pakistani national who overstayed by 10 years.

The man was arrested in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s largest northern city, where he resided for the past 12 years. Initially, he spent 13 years in Bangkok, gradually establishing a life with a Thai partner and fathering a child. Despite having lived off family support from Britain, he has not been employed in recent years.

The arrest occurred following police inspections aimed at identifying illegal foreign residents in Chiang Mai. The immigration authorities disclosed that the man had not sought a visa extension after his initial permit expired, yet he successfully acquired a new passport in 2018. Thai police are currently investigating the circumstances that allowed him to remain in the country for such an extended period.

Following his arrest, the individual was charged with overstaying his visa and will be deported back to the United Kingdom as part of a wider immigration enforcement strategy. His identity remains confidential while inquiries into his prolonged stay continue. The Chiang Mai Immigration Facebook page indicated that legal procedures are underway, and officials are preparing for his repatriation.

In summary, a British man was arrested in Thailand after overstaying his tourist visa for 25 years, setting a record for the longest visa overstay in the country. He lived illegally in Thailand for more than 9,000 days, primarily supporting himself through family funds. He will now face deportation as authorities crack down on foreign nationals violating visa regulations.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk