"Prison Live Broadcast" Controversy Over Korean Drug Offender's 'Labang' in Thai Detention Center

A Korean man arrested in Thailand on drug trafficking charges caused controversy by conducting a YouTube live broadcast from a transport vehicle and detention center, leading to disciplinary action against the immigration police who allowed it.

Mr. A arm-wrestling with another inmate at a Thai detention center
[Photo by Bangkok Post SNS capture]

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According to the Bangkok Post on the 17th (local time), the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police suspended two immigration officers yesterday for allowing the Korean suspect A (44) to live stream while in custody. A, who was wanted in Korea on drug trafficking charges, was arrested on the 3rd in the Chonburi area of Thailand. The Immigration Bureau confirmed that he had been illegally staying in Thailand for 373 days beyond the permitted visa period.

During the transfer to Bangkok, A conducted a YouTube live broadcast using his smartphone. He had been running a YouTube channel during his time evading authorities in Thailand, referring to himself as a "Thai tycoon," and reportedly boasted about his arrest while inside the transport vehicle, saying, "I came to Thailand and even served time in prison." He also showed the outside scenery through the camera and asked viewers to "subscribe and like" his channel.

A’s live broadcast continued inside the detention center. While staying in the facility, he live streamed multiple times, showing the interior and other detainees. He also broadcast scenes of smoking cigarettes and arm wrestling with foreign detainees. Additionally, he interacted with subscribers participating in the real-time chat. Regarding the reason he could use a smartphone inside the detention center, A claimed, "I gave enough money. There is no police officer who didn’t take money from me."

The Pattaya court sentenced A to probation and a fine of 3,000 baht (approximately 120,000 KRW). A was transferred from the Chonburi Banglamung Police Station detention center to the Bangkok Immigration Bureau. Regardless of the court ruling, the Immigration Bureau stated that all detainees must be closely monitored, and suspended the two officers who supervised A, forming a disciplinary committee. The Bangkok Post reported, "In Thai detention facilities, inmates are not allowed to possess mobile phones, but this incident occurred because the responsible officers failed to thoroughly search A."

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