A Vietnamese man was arrested at Don Mueang International Airport on June 30, 2025, after immigration officers discovered he was using a forged visa extension stamp while preparing to board a flight to Hanoi.
Authorities at Don Mueang International Airport detained a 24-year-old Vietnamese national, identified as Mr Nguyen, after a routine check revealed that his passport contained a falsified visa extension stamp. The incident occurred in the morning at the international departures area of Terminal 1, as the individual was preparing to travel to Hanoi on an AirAsia flight.
According to immigration records, Nguyen entered Thailand on August 26, 2024, on a tourist visa valid until October 24 of the same year. However, no record of his departure was found, and officials determined he had overstayed his visa by 249 days.
Further scrutiny of his passport showed a stamp indicating a change of visa status to NON L-A, extending his stay until March 31, 2025. The stamp claimed to be issued by an officer at the Trat Immigration Office. After contacting officials in Trat, authorities confirmed that no such visa change had been processed and that the officer’s name on the document did not match any personnel at the office. Comparative samples were collected to support the forgery charge.
In an initial statement to officers, Nguyen said he arrived in Thailand at the invitation of a Vietnamese friend who offered him work in a restaurant, though he was unable to provide the name or location of the establishment. He claimed his employer handled the visa arrangement and that he was not aware of any irregularities.
Immigration law in Thailand stipulates that individuals who overstay by more than 90 days may be barred from re-entering the country for periods ranging from one to ten years, depending on the severity of the case. Officials suspect that the forged stamp may have been used to bypass legal consequences.
Nguyen denied all allegations during the notification of charges. Authorities have confirmed that the case will proceed through the legal system.
Several officers were present at the time of the arrest, including officials involved in coordinating with the Trat Immigration Office.
