Thai over-stayers in Korea on the rise

15 กุมภาพันธ์ 2560

More & more Thais are flying to Korea on a tour & then not coming back, choosing to illegally work in Korea instead. Thai & Korean govts trying to solve this problem.

TRAVEL & WORK & IMMIGRATION

Thai over-stayers in Korea on the rise

15/02/2017
Post Reporters

Thai and South Korean officials are working together to stop Thais from overstaying their visas and working illegally in South Korea.

Thai and South Korean officials are working hard to devise measures to cut the alarming increase in illegal stays and employment among Thais in South Korea.

The number of Thais living and working illegally in South Korea is more than 50,000.

This is according to the Department of Employment director-general Singhadej Chu-amnat speaking Tuesday.

Seoul is surrounded by mountains that are great for hiking on the weekend. This is Insoo Peak in Bukhan Mountain, Seoul, Korea (Source: Wikipedia)

EASY FOR THAIS TO ENTER KOREA AS TOURISTS

Visiting South Korea is not complicated and no tourist visa is required for Thais wishing to stay there for up to 90 days, Mr Singhadej said.

A tiny street in an old style Korean neighbourhood, very different from the much sought after tall apartment building complexes scattered across the landscape (Source: Wikipedia)

Quoting a South Korean official, Mr Singhadej said the number of illegal Thai workers in South Korea is much higher than in other countries.

Illegal workers affect the local labour market and employment rate, he said.

Daehakno district after dark. Seoul has many restaurants and clubs to hang out at after dark. (Source: Wikipedia on Daehakno)

GROUP TOURS POPULAR FOR OVERSTAYERS

Numerous Thais were found to have entered South Korea with tour groups to look for jobs illegally, he said.

In the meeting, Thailand agreed to pay stricter attention on issuing passports to people who wish to travel to South Korea as well as examine the operations of travel agencies who arrange trips for Thais to South Korea.

COOPERATION BETWEEN KOREAN & THAI GOVTS

A joint committee of government officials from the two countries was set up to put an end to the illegal employment of Thais in South Korea.

They two sides discussed ways to deter Thais from over-staying their visas and working illegally in South Korea, he said.

Autumn at Deoksugung one of the many scenic parks and palaces of Seoul (Source: Wikipedia)

The meeting had agreed to exchange information on a list of Thais whose entry to South Korea was rejected by officials and those repatriated to Thailand for previous illegal stays, and a list of Thais in the country caught overstaying their visas.

Just outside of Kangnam Station in Seoul, an area known for its rich residents & hi-so nightlife. (Source: Wikipedia)

IF THEY DO OVERSTAY, WORK ILLEGALLY & ARE CAUGHT, PLEASE LET THEM STAY FOR A YEAR

Thai officials at the meeting had also asked their South Korean counterparts to allow Thais working there illegally to continue working in the country for one year.

He did not elaborate why.