← 返回新闻首页
泰国主流

Portuguese woman’s 5 year stay in Thailand without a valid visa ends at a Phuket cookery class on Tuesday

Phuket cooking class ends in arrest for a Portuguese woman after immigration police expose a 1,807-day overstay. She has no original passport, only a phone… Read More ›

thaiexaminerJames Morris and Son Nguyen查看原文 ↗

新闻视频

YouTube video player
YouTube video player
YouTube video player
一名葡萄牙女子在泰国非法居留五年后,于周二在普吉岛参加烹饪课时结束居留。

October 15, 2026 at 12:08 am

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

in Crime , Living , Media , Thailand

A Portuguese woman was arrested at a Phuket cooking class on Tuesday after police uncovered a massive 1,807-day visa overstay. She had remained illegally in Thailand for almost five years. Immigration officers inspecting a Koh Kaew restaurant demanded her passport. She produced only a photograph on her phone. However, biometric checks exposed her expired immigration status dating back to January 2021. Now facing up to two years in prison, a ฿20,000 fine and deportation, she was caught in a national immigration crackdown targeting foreign offenders.

Portuguese woman arrested at a Phuket cooking class after a 1,807-day visa overstay. A passport photo and biometric checks expose her illegal stay. She faces jail and deportation. ( Source: Khaosod )

A Portuguese woman was arrested in Phuket on Tuesday after immigration police uncovered a 1,807-day visa overstay. The woman had remained in Thailand illegally for almost five years, according to Immigration Division 6.

Officers discovered her immigration status during a restaurant inspection in Koh Kaew, where she was attending a cooking class. Crucially, she could not produce her original passport, offering only a photograph on her mobile phone.

However, biometric checks exposed her immigration history. Her permission to stay had expired on January 11, 2021. She now faces criminal proceedings, possible imprisonment and deportation.

Cooking class inspection in Phuket exposes Portuguese woman’s 1,807-day overstay through biometric checks

The arrest took place at approximately 1.30 pm on October 13 in Koh Kaew, Mueang Phuket District. Investigators from Immigration Division 6 entered a restaurant during an operation targeting immigration violations and transnational crime.

Inside, officers found the Portuguese woman participating in a cooking class. They approached her and requested identification documents. However, she could not produce her original passport. Instead, she showed investigators a photograph of the document stored on her mobile telephone.

Officers subsequently entered her details into the Immigration Bureau’s biometric identification system. The database confirmed her identity, Portuguese nationality and passport information. More importantly, it revealed that her permission to remain in Thailand had expired almost five years earlier. Immigration records established that the woman entered Thailand through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 20, 2020.

She arrived under the 30-day visa-exemption arrangements operating at that time. Subsequently, she obtained an extension of her permission to stay from the Phuket Immigration Office. However, that extension expired on January 11, 2021. Police said she failed to apply for another extension after that date. Consequently, the woman remained in Thailand without valid immigration permission for 1,807 days.

Portuguese woman faces arrest and deportation after nearly five years without valid permission to stay

The period amounted to almost five years beyond her authorised stay. Nevertheless, she was still in Phuket when immigration investigators entered the restaurant on Tuesday.

Police have not disclosed where she lived during those years. Nor have investigators explained how she supported herself while remaining in Thailand. Likewise, officers have not released information about her occupation, age or activities during the extended overstay. Her identity has not been made public.

Following the biometric checks, officers informed her that she was being arrested for remaining in the kingdom after her permission expired. Investigators formally charged her with being a foreign national who entered and remained in Thailand after her permit expired.

The charge specifically recorded an overstay of 1,807 days. Officers then informed her of her legal rights before taking her into custody. Subsequently, she was transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. Immigration Division 6 confirmed that deportation procedures would follow the criminal process.

Immigration Act provides prison terms and deportation as senior police intensify checks on foreigners

Under Section 81 of Thailand’s Immigration Act, foreign nationals who remain without valid permission commit a criminal offence. The provision also applies when permission to stay has expired or been revoked. Offenders face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine not exceeding ฿20,000, or both.

Separately, Section 54 of the Immigration Act empowers immigration officials to deport foreigners whose continued presence in Thailand is unlawful. Therefore, the Portuguese woman faces potential criminal penalties before immigration officials arrange her removal from the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the operation formed part of an intensified Immigration Bureau campaign against foreign nationals suspected of breaking Thai immigration laws. Police Lieutenant General Nophasil Phoolsawat, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, ordered the increased enforcement operations.

The campaign specifically targets immigration violations, foreign offenders and individuals suspected of hiding in Thailand. In addition, Police Major General Thanit Thaiwatcharamas, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, oversaw implementation of the policy.

Phuket immigration commanders detail restaurant arrest and biometric evidence behind overstay charge

Police Major General Chutharet Yingyongdamrongkul, Commander of Immigration Division 6, supervised the regional enforcement operation. Investigators attached to the division subsequently carried out the inspection at the Koh Kaew restaurant.

Police Colonel Charoenpong Khantiloh, spokesperson for Immigration Division 6, confirmed the circumstances surrounding the arrest. He said the operation followed instructions from the Immigration Bureau commissioner to increase checks on foreign nationals.

In particular, investigators were directed to identify foreigners committing offences or remaining unlawfully in Thailand. The spokesperson also confirmed that Police Major General Chutharet had instructed subordinate units to continue the enforcement campaign. The Phuket arrest demonstrated how investigators used biometric technology to establish immigration violations during inspections.

In this case, officers did not obtain the woman’s original passport during their initial questioning. Instead, they relied on the photograph she supplied before checking the Immigration Bureau’s electronic records.

The biometric system enabled investigators to verify her identity and retrieve details of her previous immigration permission. Crucially, those records established her original arrival date and the expiry of her most recent authorised stay. Police subsequently calculated the precise duration of her overstay and proceeded with the arrest.

Police confirm no further charges as Phuket immigration teams continue checks on foreign nationals

The woman had entered Thailand in March 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her original permission was subsequently extended by Phuket Immigration. However, the final authorised period ended in January 2021.

Investigators said she did not seek another extension after that deadline. As a result, her immigration status remained unlawful until officers discovered the violation on October 13, 2026.

The nearly five-year overstay was the sole offence identified in the information released by Immigration Division 6. Police have not reported any additional criminal charges against the woman. Furthermore, investigators have not suggested that the restaurant or its operators were involved in any immigration offence.

The cooking class was the activity she was attending when immigration officers arrived. No information has been released suggesting that the woman attempted to flee, resisted arrest or provided false identification.

Meanwhile, Immigration Division 6 is continuing operations under instructions from the bureau’s senior commanders. Police Major General Chutharet has directed subordinate officers to maintain checks on foreigners suspected of immigration violations.

The instructions also cover foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity or concealing themselves in Thailand. Separately, Police Colonel Charoenpong called for greater public cooperation with immigration enforcement.

Immigration police seek public reports as Portuguese woman faces prosecution and removal from Thailand

He urged residents to report information concerning foreign nationals suspected of breaking Thai laws. Members of the public can contact the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178 during business hours. Police said officers would examine information received and investigate suspected offences before taking appropriate legal action.

For the Portuguese woman, the immediate consequence is prosecution for remaining in Thailand after her permission expired. Her case now proceeds through the criminal justice system, with deportation expected to follow.

Immigration Division 6 has confirmed that the woman remains subject to legal proceedings following her arrest. The case centres on the 1,807 days between the expiry of her immigration permission and her arrest in Phuket. Ultimately, a passport photograph and a biometric database check exposed an overstay stretching back to January 2021.

Russian man named by police over Phuket safe robbery. Vitalii Kobin is also wanted for a visa overstay

Suspect wanted for exchange robbery in Phuket looks like a foreigner. Police say it may be an elaborate disguise

Israeli in Phuket nabbed by police for motorbike theft at his hotel in Thalang. Faces up to 3 years in prison

German assaults Thai man, steals his motorbike. Then drives to a shop and steals a high end smartphone

Crazed foreigner terrifies locals. Scottish man attacks shop owner, his wife and children in Phuket village

Body of crazed German man who refused to take his meds but instead smoked cannabis, found at home

Visa to be revoked as crazy pot smoking German is charged after terrorising Nakhon Ratchasima clinics

Loony pot-smoking German who terrorises dentist clinics on the run in Nakhon Ratchasima. Arrested

29-year-old Indian tourist jumped to his death in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area. Cannabis found in room

Road rage caused a marijuana dealer to fatally stab a Burmese painter in Bangkok on Sunday night

Marijuana use is linked to a tragic murder-suicide case in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Monday morning

James Morris is a pename for an international writer based in Bangkok who works on various international news media. He is a sub editor with the Thai Examiner news website since it began in 2015. Son Nguyen is an international writer and news commentator specialising in Thai news and current affairs. He commenced working with the Thai Examiner News Desk in May 2018.

All posts by James Morris and Son Nguyen

Failing foreign tourism sector at war over tourist levy and exactly who benefits from the billions raised October 11, 2026 Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee

Eleven arrested in Saturday property raids linked to foreigners with links to criminality across Bangkok October 10, 2026 Police raid Bangkok’s luxury estates, targeting

Burmese drug kingpin with multiple identities and lives linked to massive cash seizure in Chiang Rai October 10, 2026 Dead in 2022. Arrested in South Korea in 2026. Noo

Thailand reels at story of mother taken against her will to a prison like nursing home with caged beds for inmates October 9, 2026 Police probe a family nightmare as Mother Phat, 63,

51 year old Frenchman arrested in Chiang Mai for running a tourist hostel through a nominee company October 9, 2026 Frenchman arrested after police raid a Chiang Mai

Queen is first Thai woman to fly a Swedish Gripen fighter jet. King in Surat Thani to congratulate her October 9, 2026 From Boeing jets to a supersonic fighter: Queen

Justice Minister and other cabinet members lead raids on Jewish centres in Bangkok as financial case grows October 8, 2026 A tiny Bangkok office registered to six entities, 61

Licenced online gambling site abroad linked to the husband of a government MP raises legal quandary October 8, 2026 A ฿1.9bn wealth controversy threatens to engulf

Horror care centre closed in Kanchanaburi where patients were locked into caged beds and prison cells October 7, 2026 Steel cage beds, barred rooms and psychiatric patients

New tourist tax of 450 baht a step closer with officials targeting early 2027 after cabinet approval is obtained October 7, 2026 Foreign tourists face a ฿450 Thai entry charge from

Corruption and crime crusader carted off to Bangkok Remand Prison after court refused last minute bail October 5, 2026 Atchariya is behind bars after losing bail as cyber

Vietnam’s economic growth races ahead of Thailand’s putting it on track to overtake its net GDP by 2029 October 5, 2026 Thailand’s economic lead is under pressure as

America reached out to Thais in Korat last weekend with a county fair show hosted by Ambassador O’ Neill October 5, 2026 Freedom, jazz and enterprise take centre stage in

Two Germans killed on Khao Lak died on a road that had already claimed foreign lives and seen carnage October 4, 2026 German couple killed at a Khao Lak crossing join a

Harrowing moments for husband in Chonburi who saw his wife killed by an angry elephant early Sunday October 4, 2026 Wild elephant pursues and kills Wanna Sridachama, 36,

Drunk driver mowed down a Thai woman and her German friend in Saturday’s early hours. Both died October 4, 2026 Double tragedy on Bangkok’s Thong Lor Road as Thai

Top anti corruption crusader arrested and charged by police in online gambling probe linked to boxing October 3, 2026 Thailand’s top crime fighter Atchariya is jailed

Chiang Rai river basin findings ramp up the pressure on Thailand to act over poison flowing from Burma October 11, 2026

Horrorific work incident saw woman (49) decapitated by a lift on Saturday. Police investigation underway October 10, 2026

Counterfeiting racket selling on TikTok and Lazada busted in Samut Sakhon. Six foreigners arrested on site October 10, 2026

PM says he can explain. Denies power over impartial agencies as a no confidence motion is filed in House October 10, 2026

Murder in Trang over meth tablet dealing. Two men arrested after burned remains found near reservoir October 9, 2026

Commerce Minister says that a November signing of a US Thai trade deal is in sight as exporters stand by October 9, 2026

Armed police action in Nonthaburi as man wanted for attempted murder sought to evade an arrest warrant October 9, 2026

Thailand struggles economically even with revised World Bank GDP growth for 2026 coming in at 2% for 2026 October 8, 2026

New taxes simply for going in and out of Thailand in addition to higher airport tax already implemented October 8, 2026

Thaksin comes to Tax Court in Bangkok seeking temporary injunction to halt Revenue Department’s enforcement October 7, 2026

Senators from the ‘blue’ camp move against dissident Election Commissioner Sitthichot Intrawises October 6, 2026

Thai Airways defeats flood crisis but finds itself in a brewing crisis of confidence over its management October 5, 2026

Grab delivery driver strikes rich in Phuket by using trade to burgle 2 homes netting 3.69 million baht October 5, 2026

USS George HW Bush arrives in Phuket one day early and berths 3.3km offshore. Sailors landing ashore in holiday mode October 5, 2026

Police investigate a Burmese kingpin who entered Thailand by plane from India and had access to wealth October 4, 2026

Thai industrial base hammered by flooding crisis. Over 4k firms report a need for financial assistance October 4, 2026

House Committee chair Rome to call Bhumjaithai MP and Australian husband on Wednesday over wealth October 4, 2026

Two German tourists killed at Phang-nga zebra crossing. Pickup driver tore into them on Friday night October 3, 2026

Storm clouds gathering again as Thailand races to bolster its flood defences after last week’s deluge October 3, 2026

Bhumjaithai MP files police report against People’s Party’s Rangsiman Rome over scammer link remarks October 2, 2026

Thai Airways boss fired by the board chaired by Finance Ministry chief on Friday over baggage crisis October 2, 2026

Elderly woman seriously injured after an old man drove EV car at speed into a crowded Bangkok shrine October 2, 2026

© 2026 Thai Examiner. All rights reserved.

手机左右滑动,电脑按 ← → 键,也能切换新闻