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Thailand overstay — fines, entry bans & the smart way out

Overstaying is the single most expensive mistake in Thai immigration — not because of the fine, but because of what it does to your future entries. Here's the real penalty table, what to do if you're already over, and why the fix is almost always cheaper than the gamble.

Overstaying in Thailand: ฿500/day fine up to a ฿20,000 maximum, normally paid at the airport; entry bans begin at 90+ days overstayed (one year for overstays of a year or more). It also damages future visa applications. Extend before expiry — extensions are never granted after the fact. Immigration logged about 2,900 entry denials in 2025, so overstay history is actively checked.

✅ Fine ฿500/day (max ฿20,000) ✅ Entry bans from 90 days over ✅ Pay at the airport, no arrest at most desks ✅ Extend before expiry — never after

The current penalty table

Overstay length	Fine	Entry ban
Under 90 days	฿500/day (max ฿20,000)	None
90 days – 1 year	Paid at departure	1 year
1 – 3 years	Paid at departure	3 years
3 – 5 years	Paid at departure	5 years
5+ years	Paid at departure	10 years

Immigration policy is updated from time to time — confirm the current table before making plans based on it.

Check your stamp today

Find your entry stamp — the "admitted until" date is your absolute deadline
Extensions must be filed BEFORE that date, never after
If you're within two weeks of the date, sort it now

What NOT to do

Don't do a visa run while overstaying — border officers flag it instantly
Don't ignore it and hope — overstays appear in the system at every future entry
Don't pay "fixers" who promise to wipe an overstay — they can't, and it's a scam pattern

What to do if you've already overstayed

If your overstay is under 90 days: go to the airport immigration desk and pay — ฿500/day, no arrest for standard overstays
If it's longer: talk to a professional before you travel — the ban math matters and timing matters
Then get on a proper visa: an extension or one of the long-stay routes before you build history

Questions we hear about overstay

Will I be arrested for overstaying?

For standard overstays at the airport, no — you pay the fine and leave. Arrests happen for long overstays or overstays combined with other violations. The fine desk is routine; the ban list is not.

Does overstay affect my next visa?

Yes — every entry is checked against your history. Even a paid short overstay can trigger scrutiny or refusal at the border. Don't stack them.

Can I extend after my stamp expires?

No. Extensions must be filed before the expiry date. After that, you're overstaying and the options are pay-and-leave or worse.

I was told a "visa run" fixes it. True?

No — running a border while over is how people get banned. Fix the overstay properly first, then plan your route.

Check your stamp with us →

Message us on Line, WhatsApp or Messenger — we'll tell you exactly where you stand and what the cheapest legal fix is.