# Thai Man Banned for Life Re-enters Korea Under New Name, Gets Suspended Sentence

- URL: https://hallyu-brief.vercel.app/en/news/thai-man-renamed-passport-busan-cruise-entry-ban-1184cf
- Published: 2026-10-16T18:56:24.274Z
- Publisher: Hallyu Brief

> A Thai man in his 40s who had been permanently barred from entering Korea was sentenced to a suspended prison term after sneaking back in on a cruise ship under a changed name.

## Key points

1. He was deported in April after overstaying and placed under a permanent entry ban.
2. He entered Busan on a cruise from Shanghai on July 29 with temporary shore-leave permission.
3. He did not return to the ship and stayed in Seoul until July 31.

## What happened?

A Thai man in his 40s was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for three years, by the Busan District Court, according to Yonhap News, which reported the ruling on October 16. He was convicted of violating the Immigration Control Act after entering Korea despite a permanent entry ban.

## How did he get back in?

The man had been forcibly deported in April for staying longer than his permitted period and was barred from re-entering Korea permanently. Prosecutors said he changed his name and used a passport issued under the new name to try again. On July 29, he boarded a cruise ship departing from Shanghai and arrived at the port of Busan.

He was granted temporary shore-leave permission for a sightseeing excursion. However, he did not return to the ship before it sailed at 7 p.m. that day. Instead, he traveled to Seoul and stayed in an officetel in Dongdaemun-gu until July 31.

## What is a suspended sentence?

A suspended sentence means the prison term is not served unless the person commits another offense during the suspension period, which here is three years.

## For international fans

Cruise passengers who receive shore-leave permission in Busan are generally expected to return to their ship before departure. Travelers who overstay or are subject to entry bans can face serious legal consequences in Korea.

## FAQ

### Why was the Thai man sentenced?

He was convicted of violating the Immigration Control Act by staying in Korea after his shore-leave permission expired, despite having a permanent entry ban.

### Did he serve prison time?

No. The one-year prison sentence was suspended for three years, so he will not serve it unless he commits another offense during that period.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261015074100051)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._