Anti-Narcotics Bureau Meets with South Korea on Job Placement, Establishes Task Force to Dismantle Drug Networks Using Illegal Workers
Thailand and South Korea formed a new task force to dismantle drug trafficking networks that exploit Thai workers, after revealing that over 70% of methamphetamine seized in South Korea was smuggled through Thailand via illegal laborers.
On May 12, 2025, at the Anti-Narcotics Bureau office in Din Daeng, Deputy National Police Chief Suriya Singhakamol, Labor Ministry officials, South Korean representatives, and international drug enforcement coordinators convened to strengthen cooperation against international drug trafficking networks exploiting Thai workers.
The meeting revealed that approximately 100,000 Thai workers are in South Korea, consisting of roughly 34,000 legal workers and over 150,000-160,000 undocumented laborers. In 2567, South Korea seized over 2 million methamphetamine pills and 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with more than 70% smuggled through Thailand. Authorities warned of new tactics where illegal workers use legal workers to open 'dummy accounts' and 'dummy SIM cards' for illegal transactions.
Key measures agreed upon include enhanced drug screening during health checks for E-9 visa applicants, random drug testing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and intensified pre-departure training. A three-party task force comprising the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, the Labor Ministry, and Immigration Bureau was established to analyze data on overstay visa violators and coordinate with Thai worker networks in South Korea.
Screening intensity will increase at Suvarnabhumi Airport, particularly for routes to South Korea, Japan, and Israel. Violators detected on departure day will have their travel suspended and face immediate criminal prosecution. The Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all workers traveling to South Korea are drug-free quality personnel, with all measures not affecting E-9 visa approval conditions.
