More than 100,000 Thai nationals are suspected of overstaying their visas in order to work illegally in South Korea, according to a Thai minister-counsellor for labour based in South Korea.
Citing information from South Korea, Pinyuda Chaemchansri said on Friday that there are more than 300,000 foreigners suspected of breaching their visa terms with the Chinese being the largest offenders followed by Thais.
Ms Pinyuda has urged Thai workers in South Korea to comply with employment terms and return home after their employment contracts expire to avoid legal actions and being placed on a blacklist.
She said a crackdown on people overstaying visas is under way in South Korea, triggering concerns about Thais who choose to stay illegally to earn money.
South Korean authorities have reached out to their Thai counterparts and asked them to step up measures to prevent illegal entry or overstayers, she said.
According to Ms Pinyuda, South Korea currently allows those who overstay their visas to report to immigration officials so they can receive assistance in returning home. This group of people will not be blacklisted.
Anurak Tossarat, director-general of the Employment Department, said yesterday more Thais are seeking to work illegally in South Korea after being lured via social media.
He said that illegal workers are at risk of being exploited by job brokers and employers as most workers are too afraid to go to authorities out of concerns of legal consequences.
"They may find jobs but without any legal status. They face risks of being abused or abandoned. Illegal workers face more difficulties than others especially due to the high cost of living," he said.
Mr Anurak called on the Thai job seekers to find work through licenced agencies or contact the Labour Ministry for assistance.
According to the director-general, it is best for Thai workers to apply for jobs through the Employment Permit System (EPS) in which they are required to work on their work Korean language skills, a prerequisite for employment in South Korea.
EPS is a bilateral labour export agreement initiated by the Thai and South Korean labour ministries.
He said the country has 2,000 extra vacancies this year, meaning that 7,000 jobs are up for grabs. Thai workers can expect to earn 46,000 baht per month under three-year contracts which can be renewed for another year and 10 months.
According to Mr Anurak, about 25,000 Thai workers have been employed under the EPS. Those who complete their terms are required to return home for three months and must re-apply from Thailand.
In a related story, about 30,000 migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have yet to register with the Labour Ministry before the deadline ends on June 30.
Speaking ahead of a crackdown on illegal workers on July 1, Labour Minister Adul Sangsingkeo said most of these workers are in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Chon Buri.
The ministry is joining hands with the Royal Thai Police, which will issue fines of 5,000 baht to 50,000 baht against those caught.