Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has denied reports claiming that 11 South Korean nationals were kidnapped in the country, following an investigation that found discrepancies in the accounts published by South Korean media. The inquiry, completed on Monday, revealed that several of the individuals named had already left Thailand, while others never entered the country.
The controversy arose after The Korea Herald and The Korea Economic Daily reported that 11 South Korean citizens had been abducted in Thailand. The reports quickly drew public concern about tourist safety and the country’s image as a secure destination.
According to the Immigration Bureau’s findings, five of the individuals entered and departed Thailand through normal immigration channels, two were arrested and deported for legal violations, and four had no records of ever entering Thailand.
Immigration data shows that the five who departed normally—Kim Young-Hyun, Lim Seung-Hyeon, Park Gun-Wook, Ryu Han-Su, and Jeong Ki-Hoon—left Thailand without incident between April and July 2025. Two others, Kim Gyeong-Hyeon and Noh Ki-Dong, were deported after being arrested for separate offenses including overstaying visas and involvement in scams. The remaining four individuals—In Seoung-Kyo, Yook Geun-Young, Lee Sang-Won, and Park Choon-Hwan—had no immigration records in Thailand’s database.
The bureau said it would share its findings with the South Korean Embassy in Bangkok. Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak has directed officers to monitor and warn high-risk travelers, particularly those entering visa-free, traveling alone, or visiting for the first time. More than 5,000 warnings have been issued this year concerning fraudulent job offers that lure travelers to neighboring countries.
Authorities have also tightened border checks, especially in Tak Province, to prevent individuals from being trafficked across the Myanmar border. The measures are part of a broader campaign under National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch to enhance tourist safety.
Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee criticized what he described as repeated instances of misinformation portraying Thailand as unsafe for foreigners. He cited earlier reports involving alleged missing persons that were later disproven, including an Ethiopian man and a Belarusian model who had already left the country before being reported missing.
The Immigration Bureau reiterated its commitment to ensuring visitor safety and urged international media to verify claims before publication.