October 28, 2025Oct 28 Picture courtesy of Khaosod, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee The Immigration Bureau has firmly rejected claims that 11 South Korean nationals were kidnapped in the country, after investigators found that several had either already left Thailand or never entered at all. The bureau’s findings contradict reports published by South Korean outlets The Korea Herald and The Korea Economic Daily, which had alleged multiple kidnappings, raising alarm among tourists and concerns over Thailand’s safety reputation. An inquiry ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak revealed inconsistencies in the reports. Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee announced on Monday that five of the 11 individuals had travelled in and out of Thailand normally, two had been arrested and deported for immigration violations and four had no records of entry into Thailand. The five who departed without issue were Kim Young-Hyun, Lim Seung-Hyeon, Park Gun-Wook, Ryu Han-Su, and Jeong Ki-Hoon, all of whom left between April and July 2025. Two others, Kim Gyeong-Hyeon and Noh Ki-Dong, were deported after being apprehended for separate violations, including overstaying visas and suspected fraud. The remaining four, In Seoung-Kyo, Yook Geun-Young, Lee Sang-Won, and Park Choon-Hwan, had no immigration records confirming entry. The bureau will now share its findings with the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok. Commissioner Phanumart has instructed immigration officers at airports to issue precautionary warnings to high-risk travellers, particularly those entering visa-free or travelling alone without a clear itinerary. “We’ve issued over 5,000 such warnings since the start of 2025, cautioning travellers about fraudulent job offers that lure them to neighbouring countries,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron. Enhanced border security has been introduced, with joint checkpoints established along key crossings such as in Tak Province, aimed at preventing illegal movements into Myanmar. The measures form part of National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch’s broader plan to strengthen tourist safety. Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron criticised what he described as “repeated distorted reporting” that misrepresents Thailand as unsafe for visitors. He referenced earlier debunked reports, including those involving an Ethiopian man named Oli and a Belarusian model who had already left Thailand before being reported missing. The Immigration Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing. Key Takeaways • Immigration found no evidence of 11 South Koreans being kidnapped. • Seven of the named individuals left or were deported; four never entered Thailand. • Authorities have tightened traveller screening and border checks for safety. Related Stories Thai-police-investigate-possible-kidnapping-of-Korean-tourists Last-image-of-belarusian-model-in-Thailand-released Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-29
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