Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Thailand in Seoul, Nov. 14. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The Thai government will push forward with ongoing initiatives aimed at reducing the number of illegal Thai workers in Korea, emphasizing significant collaborative efforts with Korean authorities and practical solutions to facilitate legal labor migration, according to Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat.

"We have almost 200,000 Thai people in Korea, many of whom are workers spread across the country," Sangrat said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Thailand in Seoul on Nov. 14. "One of our most pressing tasks is addressing the issue of illegal Thai workers. We've been working diligently with Korean immigration and the Korean Employment System to bring these numbers down."

The ambassador emphasized the success of the voluntary return program, which offers illegal workers a chance to return to Thailand without facing penalties.

According to recent estimates, approximately 140,000 Thai nationals are working illegally in Korea, significantly outnumbering the legally employed Thai workers in the country. These undocumented workers have prompted stricter immigration controls and warnings from the Thai government against overstaying tourist visas and seeking illegal employment in Korea.

"Right now, we are in the middle of a voluntary return program that will end at the end of this month. We hope that many illegal workers will choose this option to return to Thailand and report themselves to Korean immigration. Last time we implemented this with Korean immigration, almost 7,000 people took advantage of the program and departed Korea," he explained.

"We have launched a public relations campaign in collaboration with our consular section and labor office here in Seoul. This campaign aims to educate Thai nationals about the benefits of legal migration and the risks associated with illegal work."

Furthermore, the Thai Embassy has been working to provide more accessible legal channels for Thai workers seeking employment in Korea.

"We are cooperating with Korean immigration, the employment system and the ministries of labor and justice to create opportunities for legal employment. This involves streamlining visa processes and ensuring that Korean employers have the resources to hire Thai workers through legal avenues," the ambassador said.

"Our efforts have already shown positive results. The number of illegal Thai workers has been decreasing over the past few years, thanks to our collaboration with Korean immigration authorities and the voluntary return program. We are committed to continuing these efforts to ensure that our workers can come to Korea through proper channels, which is beneficial for both Thai workers and Korean employers."

Sangrat also highlighted the supportive role of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Over the past 90 days, we secured a budget and additional personnel to issue almost 40,000 passports, the largest record of passport issuance abroad outside of Thailand. This effort ensures that Thai nationals have the necessary documentation to work legally in South Korea," he said.

The ambassador expressed optimism about the future of Thai labor migration, emphasizing that Thai workers are well-liked by Korean employers. He noted that Thai workers are hardworking, well-paid and happy to work in Korea. The ambassador hopes to manage labor migration more effectively to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between Thai workers and Korean employers.

A temple in Bangkok, Thailand / EPA-Yonhap

History & investment

The ambassador reflected on the deep-rooted historical connections between Korea and Thailand, highlighting the mutual sacrifices made during the Korean War and emphasizing future opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including tourism, investment and technology.

"Thailand was the first Asian country to answer the call to contribute troops to the Korean War. We were the only Asian country to support the Korean War with all three branches of our armed forces, and we have suffered some casualties and some missing in action as well," Sangrat said.

"The Korean War was one of the first episodes that Thai people learned about Korea. Our relationship went back further, but the Korean War was the most notable event in history. One of our Korean War veterans even became prime minister of Thailand."

Sangrat also shared insights on the growing economic partnership between Thailand and Korea, highlighting the ongoing negotiations and future prospects. He emphasized the commitment of both nations to enhancing trade and investment ties.

"Both leaders and governments of Thailand and Korea have decided to start the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which is also an FTA (free trade agreement) in itself," Sangrat said. "We have had the second round of EPA negotiations in September, and Thailand will host the third round soon. Both sides, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn (Shinawatra), expressed their hope to conclude the EPA next year."

The ambassador highlighted advancements in digital payment systems in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand, the national Bank of Korea and the private sector. They are working on implementing QR code payments for Korean visitors in Thailand, allowing payments for services and products without the need to exchange currency. The conversation also explored sectors with the most potential for collaboration.

"Korea, being the fourth largest economy in Asia, is one of the 10 strategic countries that Thailand prioritizes," Sangrat said. "We focus on the digital and creative economy, semiconductors and smart chips, among other areas."

Reflecting on the long-standing economic relationship, Sangrat noted the presence of over 400 Korean companies in Thailand.

"Thailand is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, and our trade with Korea amounts to about $14.7 billion," he said. "There's a lot of room for expansion, and we have significant work ahead to reach our potential. Thailand has the second largest economy in Southeast Asia with a population of almost 70 million people."

The ambassador's personal goal is to increase the number of Korean companies in Thailand from around 400 to 500 or 600 in the coming years. He also aims to boost tourism between the two countries and foster closer collaboration with what he described as "Korea's very advanced" startup ecosystem.