South Korea
- Thailand News
Thailand tops South Korea’s drug seizure list
Thailand continues to dominate in the seizure of illicit drugs by South Korean police this year, accounting for a significant portion of the narcotics confiscated at the country’s entry points. Thailand was responsible for 25% of the 298 kilogrammes of drugs seized in South Korea during the first half of 2024, according to data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS)…
- Thailand News
South Korean man faces jail for hiding illegal Thai worker’s body
A South Korean court sentenced a pig farm owner to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, for concealing the body of a Thai worker who had been working illegally at the farm for 10 years and died last year. The body of 67 year old Boonchu was discovered on a mountain in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea,…
- Thailand News
Seoul-searching: South korea & Thailand kickstart trade pact talks
The Trade Ministry of South Korea yesterday announced the initiation of negotiations with Thailand to establish an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The South Korean delegation, headed by Deputy Minister for FTA Negotiations Roh Keon-ki, is set to engage in discussions with his Thai counterpart, Chotima Iemsawasdikul, in Bangkok through until tomorrow, as reported by…
- Thailand News
South Korean woman wanted on Interpol notice hides in Thailand
Immigration Bureau officers are searching for a South Korean woman hiding in Thailand following an Interpol blue notice for her alleged involvement in a drug case. The woman is reportedly the ex-fiancée of a former member of the K-pop boy band TVXQ. The South Korean woman, 31 year old Hwang Hana, is a well-known socialite in her home country as…
- Thailand News
Thailand and South Korea team up for global water festival
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Jeollanam-do have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly promote Thailand’s Songkran Festival and Jeollanam-do’s Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival. The signing ceremony, held on Monday, June 17 in Seoul, South Korea, was graced by H.E. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea. The MOU was officially signed by TAT…
- Thailand News
South Korea’s tourism boom leaves Thailand in the dust
South Korea witnessed a staggering 87% surge in foreign arrivals this year but Thai visitors tell a different story. According to recent data from the Korea Tourism Organisation, arrivals from Thailand have plummeted by over 21% from last year, totalling just 119,000 visitors from January to April. The decline has raised eyebrows across the tourism industry, with experts pointing fingers…
- Thailand News
South Korean man bails 5.4 million baht ‘little ghost’ pregnant girlfriend
A South Korean TikToker shared a story of his pregnant Thai girlfriend, who was arrested for working and living illegally in South Korea. He revealed that he is looking forward to reuniting with her after paying a fine of 20 million won (about 5.4 million baht). A South Korean TikToker, Bong, is known for his bilingual videos. The Facebook page,…
- Thailand News
Little ghost: Thai worker livestreams arrest in South Korea (video)
Immigration officers in South Korea arrested an illegal Thai worker while she was livestreaming on Facebook. Despite warnings from viewers about the authorities’ arrival, she was unable to escape in time. The Thai woman, 54 year old Pen, known online as Aunty Pen, was arrested at a grocery store in Hwaseong City on Wednesday, June 5. Despite working illegally, Pen…
- Thailand News
Thai labour ministry initiates farm worker scheme with South Korea
The Department of Employment (DoE) under Thailand’s Labour Ministry initiated a programme to deploy Thai workers to South Korea as seasonal farm labour. This scheme is the outcome of a meeting last month between Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, the Labour Minister of Thailand, and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jung-Sik. During Pipat’s official visit to South Korea, he met with Kim Dong-yeon,…
- Thailand News
South Korean man’s cat-killing spree lands him in prison
A South Korean man, identified only as being in his twenties, has been handed a 14-month prison sentence for slaughtering 76 cats. This harrowing revelation emerged from the recent verdict delivered by the Changwon District Court, which condemned the perpetrator for violating South Korea’s stringent animal protection laws. According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, the man’s gruesome…
- Thailand News
Thai netizens slam illegal workers in South Korea for arrest protest
Thai netizens slammed illegal Thai workers in South Korea for organising a protest, demanding local authorities stop arresting them. A Facebook account under the name Fonfon Snt shared pictures of herself and other illegal workers protesting outside the immigration office in Yangju City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. “Stop arresting Phi Noi (an illegal Thai worker in South Korea). We are…
- Thailand News
Illegal workers in South Korea: Amnesty for Thai nationals
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has approached the South Korean government to consider granting amnesty to around 150,000 Thai workers currently residing and working unlawfully in South Korea. The plea was made yesterday by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jeong-sik, in Seoul on Wednesday, March 13, to examine the predicament. According to Phiphat,…
- Thailand News
Update: NASA and South Korea join forces to crack down on air pollution
South Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) and NASA have embarked on a mission to unravel the secrets of winter air pollution across Asia, including Thailand. Announced by the South Korean Ministry of Environment, this joint research initiative kicked off in South Korea and will span through Malaysia and Thailand, culminating on March 25. This year’s study, conducted from…
- Thailand News
South Korea reaffirms commitment to Thailand amidst immigration controversy
South Korean ambassador to Thailand, Park Yong Min, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations amidst the recent controversy involving the alleged mistreatment of Thai travellers by South Korean immigration officials. Speaking to the Bangkok Post at the South Korean embassy in Bangkok, Park expressed his ambition to further economic cooperation between the two nations during his tenure. Thailand…
- Business News
North Korea abolishes economic cooperation laws with South Korea
North Korea’s state-run media announced today that the country’s Parliament unanimously agreed to abolish laws about inter-Korean economic cooperation. This decision is consistent with the policy declared by leader Kim Jong Un last month, where he expressed no intent for peaceful reunification with South Korea. At a session held yesterday, February, 7, the Supreme People’s Assembly agreed to scrap the…
- Business News
Tesla’s South Korea sales slump amidst safety concerns, subsidy cuts
Tesla Inc’s sales in South Korea took a hit in January, with the company selling only one electric vehicle (EV) in the entire month. The Austin-based automaker faced a range of challenges, including safety concerns, pricing issues, and inadequate charging infrastructure. Data from the Korean trade ministry and Seoul-based researcher Carisyou revealed that the single sale of a Model Y…
- World News
Kim Jong Un declares South Korea a permanent enemy, orders destruction of unity symbols
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared South Korea a permanent enemy and ordered the destruction of all symbols of national unity, seeing them as detestable. This dramatic statement comes as the North Korean Parliament moves to dissolve two state organisations responsible for reunification and economic cooperation. Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, asked the People’s Supreme…
- World News
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung survives stabbing attack in Busan
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed while making a public announcement in Busan. Following the incident, authorities immediately apprehended the attacker. Lee, who lost the presidential election in 2022, was transported to the hospital approximately 20 minutes post-assault and is currently conscious. Lee Jae-myung, who suffered a defeat in the 2022 presidential polls, was stabbed on the left…
- World News
Tsunami hits South Korea with unexpected 67cm wave, North Korea on alert
South Korea has been hit by a tsunami with a wave height of 67 centimetres, exceeding initial predictions by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA). The surging wave height, which is potentially dangerous, could also affect North Korea, which has issued a tsunami warning. The KMA reported that a 20-centimetre high tsunami wave hit the east coast of Kangneung City in…
- Thailand News
Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun from ‘Parasite’ passes away
Acclaimed South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, renowned for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been discovered lifeless in a car at a prominent Seoul park. The 48 year old actor was found unconscious today, December 27, and while it remains unclear whether he took his own life, reports suggest he left a note before departing his home. Lee…
- World News
Bride’s wedding dress tears open, embarrassment ensues at South Korean ceremony
A South Korean bride’s wedding day turned into a mortifying experience when her beautifully tailored wedding gown split open, exposing her derriere to the entire audience. The incident took place as she was walking down the aisle with her father. The wedding was proceeding smoothly, filled with joy and happiness, until everyone noticed something unusual about her lavish wedding dress.…
- Thailand News
Thai student team claims victory at 2023 World Team Mathematics Championship
The Thai student team scored an impressive victory at the 2023 World Team Mathematics Championship (WMTC) in South Korea, scooping the title in the individual category and sweeping a total of three gold, six silver, and five bronze medals. The mathematics championship concluded yesterday, November 28, at 10pm. The 14-member team returned to Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they were warmly welcomed.…
- Pattaya News
South Korean tourist’s dramatic spectacle in Pattaya condo
A 41 year old South Korean tourist, caused quite a stir on a serene Sunday evening, November 26, in Pattaya. The man was seen pacing around the balcony of an upscale condominium situated in Soi Buakhao in Central Pattaya. He threatened to end his life by jumping off the 8th floor, also adding an unusual twist by scattering Thai banknotes…
- Thailand News
South Korean citizen delays ambulance for shower sparks outrage
A South Korean citizen‘s request for an ambulance to arrive 30 minutes later because he wanted to shower first sparked widespread criticism. The man later complained that the paramedic who attended to him was unfriendly, leading to disciplinary action against the medic. According to the Chosun newspaper, a large number of employees from Incheon’s Fire Department and the National Public…
- Business News
South Korea’s advanced tech industries endorsed by international alliances
South Korea, poised to become the world’s epicentre for advanced technology industries, received a vigorous endorsement from international alliances eager to accelerate its economic growth and competitiveness. The nation also committed to bolstering cooperation with its ASEAN partners to promote trade and investment. Specifically, South Korea showcased interest in the automobile sector within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Rayong…
- Thailand News
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…
- Business News
Thai tourists’ Korea travel ban outcry impacts agencies amid visa woes
Following a surge in posts under the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) on the Twitter (X) platform, tourism agencies are being urged to pay heed to the concerns of Thai tourists. Over a million posts were generated during the past weekend alone, highlighting the losses suffered by both tourists and tour operators in recent years. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that…
- Thailand News
Seoul-searching: South Korean authorities accused of discriminating against Thais (video)
Outraged Thai netizens called for a ban on travel to South Korea, accusing authorities of discriminating against Thai nationals, pushing the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) to the top of Twitter (X). The Southeast Asian nation is a popular destination for Thais due to the influence of K-pop artists, fashion and South Korean drama. Thais do not need a visa to enter…
- Thailand News
Harsh truths: TikTok worker debunks myths about Thai labourers in South Korea (video)
A Thai worker, known as soongphon on TikTok, has taken to the platform to share the harsh reality of Thai labourers working in South Korea. Contrary to popular belief, his videos reveal that the work environment is far from easy, dismissing any illusions of a comfortable job. The TikToker posted video clips showing the daily grind of Thai labourers in…
- Thailand News
Tennis tantrum tamed: South Korean player apologises for unsportsmanship behaviour
Petulant South Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo apologised to Thai tennis opponent Kasidit “Boom” Samrej and Thai sports fans for his unsportsmanlike, aggressive behaviour during their encounter at the 19th Asian Games in China. Thai tennis player Boom recorded an impressive victory over South Korea’s Kwon in the men’s singles match on Monday, September 25, at the Olympic Tennis Centre in…
