‘Little ghost’ smugglers busted

Three people, including a South Korean man, were arrested by police for luring prospective Thai workers via social media to work illegally in South Korea.

The trio were arrested on Friday while preparing to travel from Pattaya, Chon Buri, to Suvarnabhumi airport with a group of job-seekers, Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, chief of the Immigration Bureau, said yesterday.

The suspects are Krongkaeo Khamtha, 32, Chotikan Koetkliang, 32, and a 49-yearold South Korean national identified as Kisik Eum.

“They will be charged under the Employment Arrangement and Jobseeker Protection Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, fines of up to 200,000 baht or both,” Pol Lt Gen Surachate said. The suspects worked in secret, but their well-organised operation was leaked to the police.

According to investigators, Ms Krongkaeo allegedly posted the job announcement on social networking sites and told applicants to pay for air fares and gather in Pattaya before a trip to South Korea.

Under their plan, Mr Kisik would then inform his South Korean contact to receive the workers after they passed immigration control in South Korea.

Once through and settled, the workers would be forced to deduct parts of their salaries to give to Ms Krongkaeo’s syndicate.

Each of them had paid 55,000 baht to get jobs, Pol Lt Gen Surachate said.

Thais who plan to work illegally in South Korea usually disguise themselves as tourists to enter South Korea, where they are known as phi noi, or little ghosts.

Thailand and South Korea are currently working together to deal with the issue of illegal migrants.

Seoul has instituted a voluntary departure period until March next year for some 300,000 illegal workers, during which those who leave the country will not be blacklisted.

Critics raised doubts over the programme, saying it will attract more illegal Thai migrant workers because many workers are ready to risk being arrested for a chance to earn better pay.

Wages are usually set between 40,000 baht and 50,000 baht a month, which is enough to cover the high cost of living after sending a portion to their families in Thailand. A report unveiled by authorities last month says there are currently about 120,000 Thais working illegally in South Korea.