Overstay by 3 hrs - Train to Butterworth: Free pass or fine?

[cheapercharlie]

Flew in. Got 30 days. Waited too long to get the night train ticket. Leaving the last day... but I will clear the border at about 3 am the next morning. (If I had blonde hair and big boobs it wouldn't be a problem). What do you think ? Free pass or 500 baht fine & overstay stamp ?

[dtaai-maai]

I think it will depend entirely on the immigration officer! Make sure you use your best smile.

[Takiap]

I agree with DM, in that I think a lot will depend on the officer that stamps you out. They seem to be quite a pleasant bunch at the station, but it won't do you any harm to look respectable, and of course, be very apologetic.

If on the other hand you are travelling on a passport issued in any on the African continent, you are going to be fined, and you might even get an extra overstay stamp just for good measure.

[dtaai-maai]

and of course, be very apologetic.

Yes, but only if necessary. For Gawd's sake, don't hand over your passport saying how sorry you are - at 3 a.m. the officer might be half asleep and not even notice the overstay!

[Dannie Boy]

and of course, be very apologetic.

Yes, but only if necessary. For Gawd's sake, don't hand over your passport saying how sorry you are - at 3 a.m. the officer might be half asleep and not even notice the overstay!

Exactly, act completely innocent if they say anything, saying that you started your journey on the day in question and didn't even think of it crossing over at midnight.

[Nereus]

As far as I know you have 1 days grace, or it used to be so.

[lomuamart]

Think it was 1 day's grace at the airport only. Not land crossings.
Agree with the above. Just be polite and hope for the best. A one day's overstay stamp in your passport won't be held against you in the future as long as you pay the fine.

[playboy]

Let us know what's happened???

[cheapercharlie]

OVERSTAY. Guilty as charged.

A young Chinese woman had the same entry/exit dates as me: I asked her if she wanted to go before me: She got stamped: I got pulled out of line, and fined, photographed: paperwork and overstay stamp: It was a little bit embarrassing; but I had to chuckle when I consider all of the crime, corruption, debauchery, murders, drugs, human trafficking; etc in Thailand .. and how serious they made my early morning overstay: I talked to three people and they got madder each time.

A security guard in Malaysia said that the schools had been closed for Eid; thus the heavy travel traffic, and why I could not get a seat on a train... any seat, going south, for 4 days. Another traveler who got on the train about 3/4 of the way down, said she had to hop scotch her way south and got the last seat. The convenience of the express night train was worth the 500 baht.

FARANG, Guilty as charged.

[Takiap]

Like they say, you win some you lose some.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. Hell, every time I cross the Thai/Malaysian border I get pulled from the queue and screened because I hold a South African passport, and members of all African countries cannot pass through the regular queue. At least they haven't started making us wear a black band on our arms yet.