Chinese tourist, 42, arrested for 'overstaying visa by six years' at hotel in Thailand
A Chinese tourist was arrested at a Thai hotel for overstaying a visa by six years.
Liu, 42, was apprehended at a hotel in Soi Lat Phrao 101 Yaek 38 in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 14 at around 10.30am.
Immigration Division 3 launched the operation after checking the foreigner's information in the database.
Officers found that Liu entered Thailand on January 19, 2020, on a tourist visa valid for 60 days. He subsequently applied for a single extension of stay, which was granted until April 17 that year.
But he did not apply for a further extension, and no departure records were found after his passport expired on February 5, 2023.
Officers checked residence notification records from 2025 and 2026 and found that he had frequently relocated before moving from Pattaya to Bangkok.
His latest registered address was a hotel in Bangkok's Lat Phrao 101 area.
Police surveilled the building on October 14 and found a man matching Liu's description.
They approached Liu and asked to check his documents before confirming his identity in the database.
Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, said: ‘He had overstayed his permitted stay in the country for more than six years.
‘We charged him with being a foreigner staying in the country with an expired permit.
‘He was handed over to the inquiry officer at Lat Phrao Police Station for legal proceedings.
‘We are also expanding the investigation into his activities, sources of income and any individuals who may have been involved or provided assistance during his stay in Thailand.'
