Picture courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Thirteen players from Thailand’s Jinnaphat FC, an amateur team, were denied entry to South Korea on 4 October after failing immigration checks, forcing the team to cancel a scheduled match. The incident occurred at an airport in South Korea, with some team staff allowed to pass through while the majority of players were detained. The team was later sent back to Thailand.

 

The club posted on its official Facebook page that the incident left the team unable to compete in a scheduled match on 5 October, in the 2S SPORT ULTIMATE event. Video footage shared in a live broadcast showed players lying on the airport floor overnight while awaiting further interviews with Korean immigration officials. The delay prevented the team from proceeding to their competition and ultimately resulted in the return of the entire group to Thailand.

 

According to initial explanations, the players’ documentation may have been incomplete despite having travel tickets, hotel bookings and official invitations to participate in the match. Immigration officers reportedly asked detailed questions, including about restaurant reservations and meal orders, leading to further complications. The exact reasons for the refusal have not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.

 

The incident has sparked discussion in Thailand about travel documentation and preparation for sporting events abroad. The club and players have expressed disappointment at the outcome, while fans have shown support on social media. No further matches for Jinnaphat FC in Korea are planned for now.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thirteen players from Jinnaphat FC were denied entry to South Korea and returned to Thailand.

• Missing or insufficient documentation was the suspected cause of the immigration refusal.

• The incident led to the cancellation of the team’s scheduled match.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-05

 

 

 

 

 

Clamping down big time on the Thai ghosts.

 

At least four returnees from SK in our village this year.

 

Two of them relatives that had worked there for five years or more.

Jeez, what a bummer!. Korean immigration think this was some elaborate ruse to sneak in, run, hide and then go work construction sites? Imagine their frustration.

Side note: can't wait to see how many teams will be kept out of world cup when it takes place in US. Or the Olympics... it is still not to late to move those events

Oh, boo hoo. Thai immigration tactics used against Thais.

Crap like:
"You had an Ed visa last year. Entry denied." (as you respond using the Thai that you actually learned)
"Insufficient funds" (while you sit there showing 30K THB)
"Too many entries" (how many is "too many"? Who knows?)
 

2 hours ago, Peabody said:

Oh, boo hoo. Thai immigration tactics used against Thais.

Crap like:
"You had an Ed visa last year. Entry denied." (as you respond using the Thai that you actually learned)
"Insufficient funds" (while you sit there showing 30K THB)
"Too many entries" (how many is "too many"? Who knows?)
 

Som Nam Na https://share.google/Xj9bBrPZI5jaFNlY6

Group of non-tourists probably forgot about the C-4 short term Athlete visa.

These guys look like they got no clue how to fill out a form in english, never traveled before so were aloof as to what to say and write... prob clueless so "failed" the interrogations with their blank face responses.