Unexplained entry rejections lead to drop in Thai tourists to South Korea

21 Sept 05:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thai tourist arrivals in South Korea plummeted by 21% year-on-year (Jan-Apr), despite an overall surge in foreign visitors.
The decline is primarily attributed to numerous, unexplained entry rejections at South Korean borders, fueling widespread dissatisfaction among Thai travelers.
South Korea's K-ETA system and stricter entry measures, partly aimed at curbing illegal immigration from Thailand, are seen as the root cause.
Viral social media stories about these rejections have significantly impacted Thai travel sentiment, leading to a drop in numbers.
Despite pleas from Thai and Korean tourism officials for K-ETA exemptions, South Korea's Justice Ministry remains firm on its policy.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.