BANGKOK — Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has strongly refuted reports of 11 South Korean nationals allegedly kidnapped in the country, with investigators finding that seven had already departed Thailand or never entered at all.
The controversy began after South Korean media outlets The Korea Herald and The Korea Economic Daily published reports claiming 11 South Korean citizens had been kidnapped in Thailand, triggering safety concerns among foreign tourists and raising questions about Thailand’s security for visitors.
Following an investigation ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee announced the findings on Monday, revealing significant discrepancies with the media reports.
Of the 11 individuals named in South Korean media:
- Five entered and departed Thailand through normal channels
- Two were arrested and deported for violations
- Four have no immigration records showing they ever entered Thailand
Those Who Departed Normally
Immigration records show five individuals left Thailand without incident between April and July 2025:
Kim Young-Hyun, 30, spent three days in Thailand (April 11-14) before departing via Chiang Mai Airport. Lim Seung-Hyeon, 34, stayed for three weeks (March 23-April 16) and left through Suvarnabhumi Airport. Park Gun-Wook, 33, remained for over three months (February 20-June 4) before departing from Suvarnabhumi.
Ryu Han-Su, 30, entered Thailand on May 7 via Don Mueang Airport but traveled onward to Cambodia three days later. Jeong Ki-Hoon, 37, departed Thailand on July 25 via Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Two individuals were deported after being arrested for violations:
Kim Gyeong-Hyeon, 30, was apprehended at Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province on May 31, blacklisted as a scammer, and deported on July 1. Noh Ki-Dong, 34, surrendered for overstaying his visa after entering on April 12 and was deported on August 12.
Four individuals—In Seoung-Kyo, Yook Geun-Young, Lee Sang-Won, and Park Choon-Hwan—have no records of ever entering Thailand, according to the Immigration Bureau’s database.
Enhanced Security Measures
The bureau will share these findings with the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok. Commissioner Phanumart has ordered immigration officers at all airports to issue warnings to high-risk travelers, including those entering visa-free, traveling alone without clear itineraries, or visiting Thailand for the first time.
“We’ve issued over 5,000 such warnings since the start of 2025, cautioning travelers about fraudulent job offers that lure them to neighboring countries,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron.
Joint security checkpoints have been established along Thailand’s borders, particularly in Tak Province, to screen foreigners attempting to cross into Myanmar. The initiative reflects National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch’s commitment to ensuring tourist safety.
Pattern of Misinformation
Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron expressed frustration over what he called “repeated distorted reporting” that portrays Thailand as dangerous for foreign visitors.
“This is yet another instance of false claims that foreigners are being kidnapped in Thailand and trafficked across borders for scam operations,” he said, citing previous debunked cases including reports about an Ethiopian man named Oli who had no entry records, and a Belarusian model who had already departed the country before being reported missing.
The Immigration Bureau emphasized that Thailand remains committed to tourist safety and urged media outlets to verify information before publication.
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