After reportedly simulating his own kidnapping in the province of Chonburi to persuade family members to send him money so that he could return home, a 24-year-old South Korean who had overstayed his visa by more than a year was detained, authorities said on Wednesday.
As a result of exceeding his visa’s validity by 497 days, Kim (name withheld) is at risk of deportation and may also be charged with other offenses, according to the police.
Kim informed the young man’s family that he had been kidnapped, held captive, and assaulted before fleeing, prompting them to seek assistance from the Korean Embassy in Thailand, according to authorities.
Police claimed that although he had no money, he had told his Korean relatives that he was on his way to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Authorities visited Kim’s residence in the Bang Lamung region in the province’s east after receiving a tip about a potential kidnapping. Kim attempted to hide from them in a field and via the backyard when they first came.
He was taken into custody by officers, who then questioned him in the neighborhood police station.
He acknowledged that he had not been kidnapped, imprisoned, or otherwise hurt to a Korean translator. The only issue he had was that his family had repeatedly refused to send him money.
He consequently said he had been kidnapped in an effort to get them to send him money so he could go home.
They instead made contact with the Korean Embassy.
According to authorities, the deportation process for Kim has begun while the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
