Thailand asked Korea on Thursday to toughen the pre-entry screening process for foreign visitors from visa-waiver countries, after a number of its citizens were denied entry into Korea and the incidents stirred public ire.

 

Thailand made the request to the Korean side during a director-general meeting on consular affairs between the foreign ministries, held earlier in the day, Seoul officials said.

 

A number of Thais revealed through some online channels last year their experiences of having been denied the entry into Korea even though they had obtained the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) approval prior to their departure.

 

The postings quickly circulated via social media and caused discontent among the Thai people.

 

A tougher screening process for the K-ETA approval will allow Korea to prevent ineligible travelers from entering and reduce the risks of foreigners being denied entry upon arrival, the ministry quoted the Thai officials as saying at the meeting.

 

Top: A meeting with consular affairs and safety at Seoul's foreign ministry and consular officials from Thailand, in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

Full story: The Korea Times 2024-02-24

 

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"even though they had obtained the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) approval prior to their departure."....Maybe some in S Korea aren't the sharpest tools in the box....this is so similar to so many things in Thailand. Ambiguity is an Asian trait:)

Maybe they had gained the (K-ETA) prior to travel, yet upon arrival things didn't seem to add up?

Maybe some dubious entries and false decorations.

 

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe they had gained the (K-ETA) prior to travel, yet upon arrival things didn't seem to add up?

Maybe some dubious entries and false decorations.

 

 

No... the Koreans are just notoriously unwelcoming of Thai's... particularly Thai Females. 

 

A friends Wife (travelling with her husband) was just rejected at Korea Immigration because of a spelling error on the arrival card.

Another friends Wife has been rejected 3x in a row for her entry permissions (eTA).

 

 

My Wife wanted to go there on a 'girls' trip...  (all high-school friends - mid 40's now, all 'well to do' and financially independent)... 

 

They're going elsewhere, after the hassles their friend had (being rejected for eTA).

 

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No... the Koreans are just notoriously unwelcoming of Thai's... particularly Thai Females. 

 

A friends Wife (travelling with her husband) was just rejected at Korea Immigration because of a spelling error on the arrival card.

Another friends Wife has been rejected 3x in a row for her entry permissions (eTA).

 

 

My Wife wanted to go there on a 'girls' trip...  (all high-school friends - mid 40's now, all 'well to do' and financially independent)... 

 

They're going elsewhere, after the hassles their friend had (being rejected for eTA).

 

Maybe the first surge of Thai single girls who entered the country on false pretenses screwed tit up for everyone.

This is just sloppy work by S Korea immigration. The whole point of an ETA is to avoid this hassle. 

I hope they received compensation for the wasted journey and time.