FOREIGN tourists stranded in their accommodations at eight severely flooded southern provinces, particularly Songkhla, and unable to depart the country within the permitted timeframe do not have to pay a 500-baht a-day overstay fine, PPTVHD36 said this evening (Nov. 28).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphidee, deputy police commissioner-general and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, said Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalak, the Immigration Bureau’s commissioner-general, was concerned about foreigners stuck in the floods as this is considered an emergency.
As paying 500-baht-a-day overstay fine in keeping with the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) is a significant hardship for these foreign tourists, an order has been issued to immigration officers at entry and exit points to waive the fine for foreigners who intended to leave the country but were affected by flooding in the eight southern provinces – Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
This is in accordance with Section 54 of this law permitting assistance to those who truly suffered in an emergency and had no intention of violating it. However, officers will continue conducting thorough security inspections.
The Immigration Bureau is also quickly renovating those offices that suffered flood damage to ensure prompt service to the public.
CAPTION:
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphidee talking to an assistant. Photo – PPTVHD36
Also read:
Thaksin’s son-in-law tipped to be named among trio of Pheu Thai candidates for PM
Prapat tipped to turn to Klatham in lieu of Bhumjaithai
PM flies to Hat Yai for fourth time to oversee flood relief work
Over 100 bodies found in Hat Yai floods: Police
