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Hi from Manila!
If you’ve been following, I have had this situation with a Thai visa overstay.
It mentally bothered me for two months of my Thailand trip. But instead of choosing to pay the extension fee, do a visa run, or opt for any other rightfully considered solution, I followed the advice of a German expat working in the Phuket immigration office.
“Only if you end up having problems with the police in those last two days, you’ll go directly to jail. Otherwise, you’ll just need to pay a fine of 500 baht per day, and you’ll be on your way”, she said, with a sound of promise in her voice. “You won’t be jailed for not having a valid visa at the airport. If you do end up in prison, I will be the one visiting you!”
Luckily, I won’t need prison visits just yet, as it was just like the lady told me. At Chiang Mai International Airport, I was welcomed with a smile (it’s Thailand, after all), and told I would need to pay a 1,000 baht fine for my two extra days in the country.
“Don’t worry, nobody will pull this out for your future visits”, the officer reassured me. “You can normally return to Thailand, you will get 60 new no-visa days!”
The encounter at Chiang Mai airport I had been stressed about for months finished in 5 minutes. I had to sign a couple of papers, and I was free to go. There was even some time for an airport lounge visit. I did the same during my layover in Bangkok and fully used the 15-minute complimentary massage I was offered. Oh, how I needed that!
By the way, airport lounges are places where some people tend to behave like monkeys. Faced with a buffet of free food, their eyes open widely, and they jump on it as if there is no tomorrow. I may be guilty too, even if I try to keep my decency while exploring everything from complimentary soups to ice creams.
This buffet obsession instantly reminded me of the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, one of the more unique festivals I had the chance to witness in smiling Thailand. Read my festival report from this town which embraced its long-tailed macaques even in street art!
But now is the time to explore the beautiful Philippines, from Manila to Davao, where, the label on the snack I bought for my overnight ferry to Coron says – the best bananas in the world are produced.
So, who knows, I might see more monkeys on my way…
I try to remind myself: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Have a smiling week!
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
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