What happens if I overstay my visa in Thailand?

Thailand's overstay penalties under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979): **Statutory penalty (§81):** imprisonment of up to 2 years, or a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. **Administrative settlement:** a compounding schedule of THB 500 per day, capped at THB 20,000 (Comparison Committee, §84), is typically paid by someone who leaves voluntarily or surrenders. It is a settlement amount, not the §81 statutory penalty. **Re-entry bans:** these are administrative, set by Immigration Bureau orders and policy rather than by §81 or the Act, which states no fixed ban schedule. Longer overstays generally lead to longer bans, and being arrested rather than surrendering generally leads to a longer ban. The specific periods are Bureau practice that can change, so check current Bureau guidance or ask a Thai immigration lawyer. **Additional consequences:** Possible detention, deportation at own expense, criminal charges in extreme cases, and a permanent record in the immigration system. Voluntary surrender at immigration before departure is strongly recommended over being caught. Some immigration offices allow payment of fines and departure on the same day.