The visa exemption for a 15-day visit to Japan is being wrongly used as a channel for people seeking illegal work in Japan, and this could affect Bangkok's relationship with Tokyo, Thai ambassador to Japan Thanatip Upatising has warned.
A shrine in Nikko is an attraction that Japan has offered to foreign visitors. (Photo by Somporn Thapanachai)
Mr Thanatip said visa-free entry was intended to convenience tourism, which reflects the good relationship between the two countries, but it has been found some people have used it to enter Japan and stayed to work illegally, according to a report in Matichon.
He said Thai job brokers were offering Thais illegal work in Japan and charging them about 300,000 baht. If these people were caught working illegally they would be deported and fined a large amount, in addition to losing the money they paid the broker.
He said Thais should respect the visa-free privilege and not abuse it, because that would affect the country's relations with Japan and Tokyo may have second thoughts about the visa.
Chantana Boonart, a counsellor at the Tokyo embassy, said workers from the Northeast were the usual targets of brokers arranging illegal entry and work in Japan.
They were often approached by village chiefs or officers from tambon administrative organisations working on behalf of the brokers.
Mr Thanatip also suggested Thai travellers to Japan for any purpose buy health insurance, because medical expenses there are very high if they require treatment during their visit.