OVERSTAY
Patong beach vendors pitch for more sand
ARRESTS BY NON-PHUKET IMMIGRATION OFFICERS QUESTION 90 DAYS’ GRACE
had overstayed his permit to stay by 745 days, officers said.
Arrests of foreigners in Phuket by officers from Phang Nga Immigration have thrown into doubt the 90 days’ grace foreigners used to have to surrender for overstay.
Immigration officers from Phang Nga last week arrested two Americans, both in their 60s, for overstaying their permits to stay in the country.
Michael Scott Drannan, 63, was arrested at his home in Moo 2, Thung Maphrao, in Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga, on Dec 4. Mr Drannan
Mr Drannan had arrived in 2020 before the COVID-19 tourism shutdown. His most recent permit to stay expired on Nov 18, 2020, officers explained.
He lived at his home, growing vegetables on a 30-rai plot with a Thai lady leaving the house to buy essentials for him. He had not left his home for two years, officers explained.
Mr Drannan was aware that he had broken Immigration requirements by not applying for an extension to his permit to stay, officers said.
Mr Drannan was taken into cus-
tody and charged with overstay in the country. The length of the overstay now meant he faced deportation, officers noted.
However, the other American arrested, Roderick Eugene Williams, also 63 years old and also a resident of Moo 2, Thung Maphrao, Thai Mueang, Phang Nga, was taken into custody at a rented room in Moo 7, Rawai, also on Dec 4, officers continued.
Mr Williams had arrived in Phuket on Dec 1, said Phang Nga Immigration. His most recent permit to stay allowed him to stay in the country until Nov 26, 2022, officers noted.
As he was arrested on Dec 4, Mr Williams had overstayed by eight days, officers said.
Mr Williams was taken to Chalong Police Station and charged for overstaying.
Of note, officers from Phang Nga had travelled to Phuket specifically to arrest Mr Williams over the weekend for the Dec 5 holiday, a major holiday throughout the country.
A long-term Phuket expat involved in Mr Williams’ case told The Phuket News that the Chalong Police officers who placed Mr Williams under arrest, doing so under direction from Phang Nga Immigration, were a little...
American Roderick Williams, 63, is presented to reporters by Phang Nga Immigration after his arrest for only eight days’ overstay. Photo: Phang Nga Immigration