Frenchman arrested in Krabi for eight-year visa overstay
A Frenchman was arrested in Krabi after a visa overstay of eight years. The Frenchman, Didier, entered Thailand on February 19, 2016, with a tourist visa that expired on May 18, 2016. After the visa’s expiration, Didier continued to stay in Thailand, resulting in a total overstay of 3,032 days.
Police were alerted on September 9 when Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Ittisarnronnachai, along with other senior officials, ordered an inspection of foreign workers to enforce the Immigration Act of 1979 and other relevant laws. The primary objective was to ensure public safety and maintain social order for both residents and tourists.
Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, along with his team, coordinated with the Krabi Immigration Office and local police to inspect accommodations and businesses employing foreigners. During these inspections, 65 year old Didier was found and questioned.
Didier recounted that he initially arrived in Thailand on a tourist visa and entered through the Sadao Immigration checkpoint. He met a Thai woman and stayed with her in Bangkok. However, after their relationship ended, Didier found himself without employment or income. In search of a friend, he travelled from Bangkok to Krabi.
Upon verification, Didier’s visa overstay was confirmed, he had remained in the country far beyond his permitted stay. The officials charged him with overstaying his visa and promptly transferred him to the Krabi City Police Station for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.
The operation was part of a broader initiative led by senior immigration officers, aimed at cracking down on illegal foreign workers and ensuring compliance with Thai law. The enforcement efforts are in line with the Royal Ordinance on the Management of Foreign Workers of 2017 and the 1999 Act on Alien Business Operations.
In related news, Phuket Immigration officers apprehended seven foreigners for overstaying their visas as part of a focused initiative to identify and remove individuals illegally residing in Thailand.
