British man arrested in Chiang Mai for visa overstay
A British national was arrested in Chiang Mai for overstaying his visa after entering Thailand under the visa exemption scheme and failing to extend his stay or leave within the permitted 60-day period.
CHIANG MAI — Immigration police in Chiang Mai have arrested a British national for overstaying his visa, according to officials.
Pol. Col. Phitthakphong Charoenkul, superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nattaphon Chumbuatong, deputy superintendent, stated that an investigation team has been assigned to locate foreign nationals who are violating immigration laws or committing other offences.
On 28 April 2026, immigration investigators working with officers from Immigration Division 5 conducted an inspection in an area along Samlan Road in Phra Sing subdistrict, Mueang district, following a public tip-off about an illegal foreign resident.
Authorities arrested a British man and charged him with "being a foreign national staying in the Kingdom after permission had expired". He was informed of the charges and his legal rights before being transferred to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station for further proceedings.
The suspect admitted he had entered Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, which permits nationals from 93 countries and territories to stay up to 60 days per visit to facilitate tourism and short-term business activities. He acknowledged failing to leave the country or apply for a visa extension before his permitted stay expired.
