Thai authorities are still trying to locate two Thai women who left a tour group in South Korea, Udon Thani governor Chayawut Chanthon said on Monday.
The disappearance of the duo, identified as Yupin and Chutima, came to light when the tour guide posted an online message pleading with them to return to Thailand before their 90-day visa expires.
The pair disappeared while in Seoul, two days after arriving in South Korea, triggering speculation they wanted to find work there.
They were identified as residents of Udon Thani and were reported to have since contacted provincial authorities and asked for help in returning to Thailand.
In a Facebook post, the governor said officials are working closely with their friends and families to locate their whereabouts.
Some Thai media outlets quote Phuriwat Thitijaruwarawat, the tour guide who could lose his licence and be banned from there for life, as saying he was informed the pair had made a contact with labour officials in Udon Thani.
The governor said the tour company was willing to cover the travel cost and they could fly home with another tour group later this week.
“So far there is no information from the two women. The officials haven’t talked to them and they are still working with the family and the tour company,” he said.
It was still unknown why the two disappeared.