Chaiyaphum labour office acknowledges workers fleeing Korea E-8 programme
South Korea has suspended recruitment of seasonal agricultural workers from four Thai provinces, including Chaiyaphum, for all of 2026 after numerous Thai workers fled their posts under the E-8 visa programme.
CHAIYAPHUM — South Korea has halted recruitment of seasonal agricultural and fishery workers from four Thai provinces following widespread cases of Thai workers abandoning their posts, according to Thai labour officials.
Chutima Jumangmo, director of the Chaiyaphum Provincial Employment Office, confirmed that workers from the province had fled their employers while participating in South Korea's E-8 seasonal worker visa programme.
The suspension affects Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Maha Sarakham provinces for the entire 2026 calendar year, effective from 1 January through 31 December. South Korean authorities imposed the restriction after reporting a high rate of Thai workers abandoning their positions, which undermined confidence in the programme.
The E-8 visa scheme is designed to permit Thai workers to undertake seasonal employment in South Korea's agricultural and fishing industries under a bilateral agreement between the two nations.
Chutima clarified that the suspension applies solely to E-8 visa workers and does not impact Thai nationals working in South Korea under alternative labour programmes.
Data from the provincial employment office shows that 103 Chaiyaphum workers travelled to South Korea during the current fiscal year, with 94 sent through the Labour Ministry and seven through private recruitment agencies.
Among these workers, 10 fled their employers upon arrival in South Korea under the E-8 programme, breaching the agreement and prompting South Korea's decision to blacklist the province.
Chutima noted that two Chaiyaphum workers who departed on 5 May and 12 May would also face restrictions and cannot work under the E-8 scheme for the remainder of 2026.
Thai authorities cautioned that workers who abandon overseas employment face potential arrest, imprisonment, deportation, and permanent exclusion from future international work opportunities.
