PATTAYA – A 60-year-old lonely New Zealander who came to live in Pattaya overstayed his visa by more than 5 years, not thinking he would be caught in front of a convenience store.
On May 10, officials from the Immigration Police Investigation Team arrested Mr. Grant, who had overstayed by 2,173 days.
Mr. Grant stated that he had never thought to be caught for 5 years overstaying because he didn’t go out, had no friends, and didn’t socialize with anyone. He would stay at home all day and only go out to buy things at night to avoid the authorities’ attention.
Pol. Lt. Col. Weerachai Thinkamut, Inspector of Chonburi Immigration, said that the officers received orders and strictly followed the policy of inspecting foreigners in Pattaya, including those without visas, those overstayed, those who committed crimes, and those who worked in occupations reserved only for Thais, in order to make Pattaya a safe and livable city and reduce transnational crime.
While the officers were inspecting the area on Friday night, they found a foreign male matching the description provided by the source in front of a convenience store on Soi 8, Jomtien Beach Road, Pattaya. They identified themselves and asked to check his official documents, but he had no documents to confirm his identity. He was then invited to the Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint.
The officers informed him of the charges against him and took him to the Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings and deportation from the country.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, retired people can stay in Thailand by Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay). This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working.
Since 2016, Thailand has allowed nationals from 14 countries to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 10 years. The applicants must apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa “O-X” (Long Stay 10 years), also called a Non-O-X Visa, at the Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate-General (when applying outside Thailand) or the Immigration Bureau (when applying in Thailand).
Foreigners who wish to apply for a Non-O and Non-OA Visa must have an income or retirement funds of at least 65,000 baht per month for a period of 12 months, or a combined pension deposit of not less than 800,000 baht per year for a period of 3 months.
Those who wish to apply for a Non-OX Visa must have an income or retirement funds of at least 100,000 baht per month for a period of 12 months, or a combined pension deposit of not less than 3,000,000 baht per year for a period of 3 months, and must have a health insurance policy.
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