Thailand demonstrated remarkable humanitarian support during the 1950-53 Korean War by contributing 11,786 soldiers and four tons of rice to aid the U.N. Allied Forces. Thai troops, known as the "Little Tigers" for their bravery, faced significant losses. However, they achieved brilliant results throughout the war, thanks to their outstanding combat skills. This commitment, rooted in camaraderie and patriotism, also reflected the influence of Buddhism on their sense of duty.

Despite a shared history, Thailand-Korea relations have recently faced challenges, particularly in tourism. The number of Thai visitors to Korea has declined sharply due to stricter entry regulations and reports of denied entries through the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system. While K-ETA aims to pre-screen visitors to prevent airport denials, its implementation has raised concerns, fueling fears of a Boycott Korea movement, spurred by negative attitudes spreading on social media.

However, the deep-rooted ties between Korea and Thailand offer hope for revitalizing their relationship. The designation of 2023-2024 as the Korea-Thailand........

© The Korea Times