South Korea says Thai traveller’s claim on entry refusal is misleading

South Korea has dismissed as misleading and inaccurate a viral social media post, spread among Thai netizens, in which a Thai woman claims she was unfairly denied entry to the country despite holding a valid K-ETA and official travel documents.

The South Korean Embassy in Thailand’s Facebook page explained that the woman, who identifies herself online as a 37-year-old government official from Loei province, was refused entry in late December at Incheon International Airport, after immigration officers determined that her travel plans were “unclear.”

The woman posted to a Facebook travel group about South Korea on January 2, claiming that she and a friend were both denied entry and forced to return to Thailand, despite providing the required documentation, including her office’s permission to take vacation abroad.

She claimed officers did not provide clear reasons for denying her entry and vowed never to visit the country again, prompting widespread debate among Thai social media users.

In an explanation, issued on yesterday, the embassy said an investigation found that the woman and her companion had not booked accommodation before arrival.

When questioned, they said they planned to stay at the home of a Korean boyfriend, who was not in South Korea at the time, while his mother, listed as the local contact, had no knowledge of their visit or lodging plans.

Because the purpose of their visit could not be clearly established, immigration authorities decided not to allow entry, the embassy said. It added that the interview and explanation were conducted in Thai, with the help of a Thai interpreter.

The embassy also warned that some travellers who have been denied entry have shared incomplete or misleading accounts online, creating a negative perception of South Korea’s immigration process.

It rejected past claims that foreigners were asked irrelevant questions, such as the colour of hotel wallpaper or the number of plants in a hotel, saying checks showed no such questions had been asked.

The embassy urged the public to verify information before sharing it, warning that false claims can cause unnecessary concern among Thai tourists and affect long-standing bilateral relations.

The issue of Thai travellers being refused entry has been attracting growing attention in recent years. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul raised the matter with South Korean authorities during his visit in October 2025, noting the financial and emotional burdens on affected travellers.

According to figures reported by South Korean media outlet Chosun Biz, the Ministry of Justice recorded 397,522 illegal over-stayers in 2025, a 6.2% drop from the previous year, with Thais making up the largest share at 34.5%, followed by Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipinos and Indonesians.