Russian woman arrested in Patong after 2,379-day overstay

Phuket immigration officers arrested a 38-year-old Russian woman in Patong after finding that her permission to stay had expired in late October 2020, according to a report by Chiang Rai Times.

The woman was detained inside a private apartment on Sirirat Road following surveillance prompted by a community tip-off. Passport records cited in the report showed that she had accumulated 2,379 days of overstay in Thailand.

She was transferred to Patong Police Station for prosecution under Thailand’s immigration laws. The report said she faces a maximum overstay fine of B20,000, deportation and a 10-year ban on re-entering Thailand because she was detained by authorities. It also said she would remain in custody while deportation arrangements were made and would be responsible for the cost of her flight.

The report noted that overstay fines are calculated at B500 per day, subject to the B20,000 maximum. Foreign nationals who voluntarily leave after more than one year of overstay can face a five-year entry ban, while those arrested by authorities can face a longer ban.

Following the arrest, immigration officials reminded landlords, hotel operators and rental agents of their obligations under Section 38 of the Immigration Act. Owners must report non-Thai occupants to immigration authorities within 24 hours using the TM30 notification system. The report said failures to comply can result in fines ranging from B2,000 to B10,000 per unreported tenant.