South Korea releases 108 Thai workers arrested for drug charges

BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) - All Thai workers but three nabbed in South Korea on drug charges have been released, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong said Thursday.

The minister said that she received a report that of the 111 workers
arrested on drug charges, 108 were released, while three were being
investigated to determine if they were involved in drug trafficking.

If the suspects are found guilty, they will face severe punishment under
Korean law.

She said Thai labour officials had already looked into the case.

However, she said the names of the Thai labourers could not be disclosed
as South Korean law allows the suspects to have their names kept
confidential.

She added that Thai workers who were being semt to work in Korea would be
thoroughly checked for possible involvement in drug trafficking to protect
Thailand's image.

According to the Thai embassy in Seoul the 111 workers were arrested from
September 18-23 on charges of trafficking and consuming methamphetamines.

A South Korean police officer said three Thai workers in Gyeonggi province
south of Seoul were charged with smuggling and distributing
methamphetamimes and the rest had been indicted for consuming them. Four
were deported for overstaying their work permits. (TNA)