Thailand’s Department of Employment has confirmed that South Korea has blacklisted workers from four northeastern provinces and suspended the import of seasonal labourers under the E-8 visa scheme for one year after many workers reportedly absconded from employers.
According to information shared by the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand on Monday, citing the Labour Ministry’s Department of Employment, the affected provinces are Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum and Maha Sarakham.
The suspension covers the entire 2026 calendar year, after South Korean authorities found that a number of Thai workers sent under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) programme for seasonal agricultural and fisheries work had fled their designated employers. Officials said the issue has significantly affected Thailand’s labour quota for 2026.
The Department of Employment advised people seeking overseas jobs to check recruitment details and schedules through the department’s overseas employment website and official channels.
