BANGKOK — Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has waived overstay fines for foreign tourists stranded in eight southern provinces after severe flooding cut off travel routes and left many unable to leave the country before their permitted stay expired.
The southern region has faced critical flooding in recent days, especially in Songkhla and nearby provinces. Authorities said many foreign tourists — particularly in Hat Yai — have been stuck in their accommodations as rising water blocked roads and made travel to airports or border checkpoints impossible. Under normal rules, overstaying results in a fine of 500 baht per day under the Immigration Act.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimpadee, spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, said on Nov. 28 that Immigration Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumart Boonyalak issued an order dated Nov. 27 granting a temporary exemption from overstay penalties for tourists affected by the floods.
The exemption applies to foreign nationals who intended to leave Thailand but were unable to do so due to flooding in eight southern provinces: Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. The waiver covers the period from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31, 2025.
The order was issued under Section 54 of the Immigration Act, which allows authorities to exempt penalties in exceptional circumstances. Cherngron said the measure aims to assist travelers facing genuine force majeure and not those deliberately violating immigration laws. Security screening procedures will continue as usual, he added.
Immigration officials are also assessing flood-affected offices to restore operations quickly once water levels recede.
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