The Phnom Penh Municipal Immigration Department on Sunday detained an Australian national for overstaying her visa in the Kingdom and failing to pay for her lunch.
Major Kim Sothea, deputy chief of the municipal immigration department, identified the suspect as 47-year-old tourist Taylor Mar.
Maj Sothea said Ms Mar was found to have overstayed her visa after she was detained for failing to pay for her $30 lunch bill on Sunday.
He noted that Ms Mar entered Cambodia through Siem Reap International Airport on September 4 and was given a 30-day tourist visa.
However, on Sunday, police were called to the Sofitel Hotel in Chamkar Mon district after Ms Mar failed to pay her lunch bill.
“She’s a foreigner that did not have money. She was later caught by hotel security and sent to police,” Maj Sothea said. “She came from a developed country, but she has poor conduct.”
He noted that she was later sent to the Interior Ministry’s General Department of Immigration for further questioning.
Lieutenant General Uk Hai Seila, chief of investigations with the department, said Ms Mar will be fined and deported.
“She’s been accused of staying in Cambodia without a valid visa. She will be fined in accordance with the law,” Lt Gen Hai Seila said. “She is now being temporarily detained at the Immigration Department.”
“She will soon be deported after she’s able to pay,” he added. “We are waiting for an Australian embassy representative to come with money for the fine and flight ticket.”
Representatives of the Australian embassy could not be reached for comment yesterday.
