Swedish, Brazilian tourists detained in Thailand for visa overstays

By Hoang Vu March 18, 2023 | 03:00 am PT

Tourists at a beach of Koh Tao Island, Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Photo by Reuters

Thai police this week arrested two foreign tourists carrying Swedish and Brazilian passports for overstaying their visas as part of the government’s expanded campaign to crack down on violators.

The 34-year-old Swedish tourist who overstayed his visa by 75 days was detained Friday by Thai immigration police on Koh Samui Island in the Surat Thani District, around 650 kilometers from Bangkok, The Thaiger reported.

On Monday, a 64-year-old Brazilian tourist was detained at Surat Thani Hospital for overstaying his visa for 10 days.

Both are awaiting deportation.

Thailand, which has witnessed a strong tourism recovery since late last year, is stepping up its crackdown against tourists who overstay their visas.

Overstaying for 90 days or more entails deportation and a ban on entering the country again.

Thailand received 11 million foreign visitors last year, and the government hopes to receive 30 million arrivals this year.