The exemption applies to travellers unable to leave Thailand due to the widespread flooding that has cut off key transport routes ‒ particularly in Hat Yai District ‒ leaving many tourists stuck in their accommodations and unable to reach airports or border checkpoints.
Pol Maj Gen Choengrorn Rimpadi, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, announced at 7am today that Immigration Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug has authorised the temporary waiver in recognition of the situation being a force majeure event.
Under normal circumstances, foreigners who overstay their permitted period are fined B500 per day under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).
However, the Bureau confirmed that fines will be waived for those genuinely affected by flooding in the following provinces: Songkhla, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The measure covers overstays incurred between Nov 20 and Dec 31, using authority granted under Section 54 of the Act.
Immigration officers at all international points of entry and exit have been instructed to implement the exemption immediately, while still conducting standard security checks, Phuket airport Immigration confirmed.
The Immigration Bureau added that efforts are underway to restore services at provincial immigration offices impacted by the flooding, so operations can resume for the public and foreign nationals as quickly as possible.