3 Pakistani men arrested in Chiang Rai for illegal immigration

Three Pakistani men were arrested and then charged on Saturday in Chiang Rai for illegal immigration and overstaying. The three admitted that they travelled in and out of Thailand via the border at the Golden Triangle.

Officers from Chiang Saen Immigration Bureau reported that they spotted three suspicious foreign men in a public park in the Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai province and asked them to see their passports.

The Pakistani tourists complied and handed their passports over which revealed they had overstayed, so they were taken to the immigration officer for further questioning.

The three individuals confessed to travelling out of Thailand through the border shared by Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, an area commonly referred to as the Golden Triangle. The specific destinations or countries that the three travelled to have not been disclosed.

The immigration officers told the media that they would question the men in more detail on the purpose of their actions.

The three were initially charged with illegal immigration and overstaying according to the Immigration Act. For the illegal immigration charge, the three men face imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

Their overstaying period and the charges against their action had not been reported.

The penalties for overstaying in Thailand are divided into two main types below.

• Overstaying foreigners surrender themselves to the officers:
• Overstaying less than 90 days will result in a fine of 500 baht/day (maximum 20,000 baht).
• Overstaying more than 90 days will result in a one-year ban from entering the country and a fine of 20,000 baht.
• Overstaying more than one year will result in a three-year ban from entering the country and a fine of 20,000 baht.
• Overstaying more than three years will result in a five-year ban from entering the country and a fine of 20,000 baht.
• Overstaying more than five years will result in a 10-year ban from entering the country and a fine of 20,000 baht.

Overstating foreigners who are caught by the officers:

• Overstaying from one day to one year will result in a five-year ban from entering the country and a fine from 500 to 20,000 baht.
• Overstaying more than one year will result in a ten-year ban from entering the country and a fine of 20,000 baht.