Visa free is not a free pass

The recent controversy surrounding a Thai woman denied entry to South Korea should be a wake-up call for Thai visitors abroad. Again, Thai social media went ballistic, with the typical emotional and lopsided reactions as usual.

There is an uncomfortable truth: visa-free does not mean a free pass. Thai tourists should have a better understanding that incomplete information regarding their visits, including accommodation details, could lead to denial of entry. It is not about discrimination or profiling.

Other countries have regularly refused entry to Thai passport holders, with or without visa-free access. Immigration officials retain the power to say “yes” or “no.”

The South Korean embassy in Bangkok knew the case well. It issued an explanation that immigration officers at Incheon International Airport determined that the passenger’s purpose of visit was unclear.

She did not have confirmed accommodation. Worse, she said that she would be staying with a South Korean boyfriend who was not in the country at the time. Her mother did not know about it. That explains why she was denied entry. It is a common immigration practice.

Why did Thais get so emotional about this kind of human drama? In Thai thinking, South Korea must be nice to them because Thailand helped during the Korean War. Every year, the South Korean embassy here pays visits to the remaining family members to thank them for their heroism.

Anything that rubs feathers will prompt online talking heads to shout. Also, South Korea has Lisa, a world-renowned Thai member of Blackpink, who has made K-pop even more famous. Moreover, Thailand has seldom denied entry to any tourist with a visa.

Therefore, Thais thought that Korean immigration discriminated against Thai visitors, whoever they are.

This kind of misunderstanding is not new. It happens repeatedly. Every time, there is an uproar. In the age of social media, any personal account can easily ruin wholesome bilateral relations.

What is missing from this debate, however, is a serious discussion about Thailand’s own responsibility. Thai authorities need to better prepare citizens for travel abroad, particularly to countries known for overstayers and illegal employment.

The numbers alone should prompt urgent action. According to Chosun Biz, South Korea recorded nearly 400,000 illegal overstayers in 2025. Thais accounted for the largest share, at 34.5 per cent, far ahead of Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipinos, and other nationalities.

Thai media designated these overstayers as “pee noi” or “little ghosts.” The concerned Thai ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Interior, should increase their collaboration to ensure that Thai tourists understand the visa regulations of the countries they plan to visit.

Otherwise, this kind of airport drama will recur.

Other countries that permit visa waivers for Thai visitors are watching closely. Tokyo has offered visa-free access to Thai passport holders for quite some time now. The growing number of visa overstayers is a cause for concern. If this trend continues unabated, the visa-free scheme could be annulled.

Truth be told, in the 1970s–1980s, several developed countries, such as the Scandinavian countries and others, used to grant visa-free privileges to Thai passport holders.

Overstayers abused them. These countries have tightened the rules, and now visas are required. According to the Henley Passport Index, Thai citizens can travel to 82 destinations worldwide without a visa or with visa-on-arrival.

Singaporean and Malaysian passport holders can travel to 195 and 183 destinations, respectively.

In Thailand, the real problem is hearsay and information from social media. These days, travelling anecdotes are very powerful. The real failure lies at home. Too many Thai travellers rely on hearsay, influencer anecdotes, or Facebook groups for guidance rather than authoritative information.

Too few understand that immigration interviews are not formalities and that officers are trained to assess intent, consistency, and credibility within minutes. When things go wrong, frustration is directed outward, while systemic gaps in domestic awareness go unaddressed.

Thai authorities should take a far more proactive role. This could include clear, plain-language advisories on entry requirements for visa-free destinations. Thai missions abroad must have targeted campaigns highlighting common reasons for refusal.

Quite frankly, Thai tourists are not ready, and may even be annoyed, by stricter scrutiny at entry points.

The only remedy is clear. Thai tourists need better knowledge of the countries they are visiting—not just the tourist spots, but also the culture and history, among others—as shown in this Thai case.