A Thai woman who said she is a civil servant has shared an account of being denied entry to South Korea, posting anonymously in a Korean travel group on social media about what she described as an upsetting and unexplained experience at immigration.
In her post, the woman said she had a clear travel plan and brought supporting documents, including proof of her employment and return intentions, but was still refused entry upon arrival.
“I feel very disappointed and hurt by this trip. Korean immigration gave no clear reason for the inspection or the decision,” she wrote. “Especially the female officer at the central desk — I don’t know what she was upset about, but she was rude to me for no reason.”
She added that she had prepared all necessary documents and believed her travel purpose was legitimate.
“I had a clear itinerary, a stable job as a civil servant, and all the documents ready for inspection,” she said. “In the end, I was not allowed to enter. If I had known, I would have gone to Japan instead. I shouldn’t have wasted my time here.”
The woman said she was particularly upset because she had already exchanged Korean won for the trip but was unable to use any of it.
Among Thai travelers, South Korean immigration is widely known to be strict. Tourists are commonly advised to prepare detailed documents — such as hotel bookings, return tickets, proof of employment, and financial statements — to demonstrate that they are genuine visitors and intend to return home after their trip.
Her post, tagged with “#Incheon,” has drawn attention online, with many users discussing entry requirements, immigration discretion, and similar experiences at foreign borders.
South Korean immigration authorities have not publicly commented on the specific case. Under international practice, immigration officers have the authority to deny entry to foreign nationals if they believe entry conditions are not met, even if a traveler holds a valid visa or meets formal documentation requirements.
