Have you been to south Korea from Thailand recently ?

[fredbangkok]

Hi,

I would like to go to South Korea on vacation (1 week) from Thailand with my Thai wife. I heard about the K-ETA ? Is it hard to get it ? If i get it, am i sure i will be accepted by South Korean immigration officials ? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Bettyboo]

Korea can be tricky. The wife tells me quite a lot of Thais are stopped, harassed or refused entry at the airport even if they have a visa - usually, it's when they are traveling alone or in a solely Thai group. The wife has been harassed, for hours, by immigration, even though she had the correct documents; she only got through immigration because I was in the airport waiting for her.

The visa should be straightforward to get. As a couple, traveling together, you should be fine.

T'way seem to be the best current ticket prices for direct flights between Korea and Thailand. Attention Required! | Cloudflare

[armstrong]

My Thai colleague had to get letters from her employer and all sorts to get the visa and even then was pulled aside and interviewed at the airport.

[fredbangkok]

Korea can be tricky. The wife tells me quite a lot of Thais are stopped, harassed or refused entry at the airport even if they have a visa - usually, it's when they are traveling alone or in a solely Thai group. The wife has been harassed, for hours, by immigration, even though she had the correct documents; she only got through immigration because I was in the airport waiting for her.

The visa should be straightforward to get. As a couple, traveling together, you should be fine.

T'way seem to be the best current ticket prices for direct flights between Korea and Thailand. Attention Required! | Cloudflare

Thanks for these informations, when did you travel to South Korea please ?

[BLD]

A few years ago myself and lao wife and my oldest son flew vientiane to Seoul she and my son needed a visa. That was easily obtained in vientiane as they were both travelling on Lao passports. For myself, aussie passport I didn't need one, but had to promise to have a Korean BBQ daily with loads of kimchi and drink copious quantities of very ordinary beer

[Bettyboo]

Thanks for these informations, when did you travel to South Korea please ?

I have lived in Korea for a decade on a working visa. My wife stays with me, often flies back to Thailand and has many Thai friends who either live here or make the same trip on holidays, for work, etc. Koreans are not nice to Thais. But, traveling as a pair, with visas, there should be no reason to be stopped.

This may not be my place, but I'd say that of every country in the region, Korea is the least worth visiting - just my opinion having lived in Thailand for ten years then here for 10 years, and traveled to most countries around SE/E Asia at least once (with the notable exceptions of Indonesia and Taiwan - which I hope to visit in 2024; heard good things about both, especially Taiwan).

[Norton]

Taiwan is my fav to visit in all Asia. Go for it.

[DrWilly]

having lived in Thailand for ten years then here for 10 years, and traveled to most countries around SE/E Asia at least once (with the notable exceptions of Indonesia .

[Shutree]

Taiwan is my fav to visit in all Asia. Go for it.

Agreed. I like Taiwan very much. I went there this year when Isan got stupid hot and I might well do the same in 2024.

[katie23]

Just saw this now. ^Taiwan is great. It's a lovely little island and easy to get around. Public transport is good.

As to S. Korea, I went there some years ago. I travelled alone. As a Filipino citizen, I had to get a visa. During that time, I had to go to their embassy in Manila to submit requirements. Nowadays, I've heard that it's done via agency. I had a valid multiple entry US visa, and that gave me easier access/ visa to Korea. (There was a separate window for those with US/ Canada/ UK/ Schengen wtc visas). I didn't get interviewed - I just submitted requirements. I saw that those who queued in the other window - some of them got interviewed.

Upon entry to Korea, I was just asked how long I would stay. No problems in Korean immigration, whether entry or exit.

I have heard that many (or most?) Koreans dislike southeast Asians, especially if they're dark. They're obsessed with whiteness and looks (plastic surgery). Generally, Koreans look down on countries which are poorer than them. (Have heard this from many sources - Bettyboo can confirm/ deny.)

If you're a couple (Thai + white), I don't see any problem. You may be asked re: length of stay. It's nice to visit for a few days.

Younger people who like k-pop & k-dramas want to see Korea & visit places featured in the dramas.