Thai couple disappearance in South Korea sparks debate on travel risks

A Thai couple travelling in South Korea has reportedly disappeared from their tour group, prompting fears that the tour company may face a 10-year ban from operating in the country. The Thai couple’s disappearance has sparked significant debate online about the risks to Thai nationals travelling in South Korea, where stricter immigration controls have been implemented due to concerns over illegal labour. The couple, identified as Thanyaporn and Ekalak, vanished from their accommodation at 2am yesterday and have not been contactable since.

The news was shared by the Facebook page Happy Together, which urged anyone who knew the individuals to contact them. The post warned that if the couple did not return to Thailand within 90 days, the tour leader would be blacklisted from entering South Korea for five to 10 years. This is because the tour leader had vouched for the couple to pass immigration controls, as they had shown marriage certificates, personal business information, photos, and bank statements showing a balance of over 300,000 baht.

The tour company has now reported the Thai couple’s disappearance to South Korean immigration officials, insisting they had no prior knowledge of the couple’s plans. As evidence, they have provided CCTV footage from the accommodation and are preparing to take legal action against the couple, reported KhaoSod.

“This is a prime example of why tour companies advise against vouching for clients. As we all know, if the clients do not return with the tour, the tour leader is held responsible and can be blacklisted by South Korea.”

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