Kind-hearted Phuket locals come to the aid of broke Russians left stranded due to COVID-19

 

 

Locals in Phuket have come to the aid of three Russian tourists who have been forced to take shelter in a temple after being left stranded due to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The trio had been due to fly from Phuket to Russia on 25 March when their flight was cancelled.

 

Having already ran out of money, the three tourists, named Nikolai, Sofia and Alexei decided to walk from the airport back to the centre of the island. During the walk they spotted a large temple and decided to stay there.

 

Daily News reported they had set up a makeshift camp, and even made their own kitchen, in a building next to the temple crematorium.

 

When locals became aware of their plight, they donated food such as instant noodles and canned fish, water and mosquito nets. The authorities were also informed and health officials tested the trio for a fever but found they were in good health. 

 

Speaking to Daily News, Nikolai praised the generosity of the locals who had helped them and said once he is able to return to Russia, he will tell his friends how kind Thai people are.

 

Earlier this week, TASS reported that there are an estimated 20,800 Russians stranded in Thailand following the outbreak of coronavirus.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-05

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Given the amount of bad news we have been getting of late, nice to see that Thais, even though many of them are struggling to make ends meet, have the heart to assist those in need. Around the country I am sure there are many tourists way overdue to go home, who will also be having serious money problems. The sooner the virus problem is solved, the better for all concerned.

Well done Thai people, shame your government/ immigration cannot show similar compassion, and help foreigners, instead of persisting on making things difficult, whenever, wherever they can.

12 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Given the amount of bad news we have been getting of late, nice to see that Thais, even though many of them are struggling to make ends meet, have the heart to assist those in need.

Yep, now all we need is an 'honest cabby' story to top it off.

There must be some tourists left with a spare 200kbht in cash to leave in a bag on a back seat.

Periodically Thai people show amazing compassion and charity...kudos to one and all!????

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Yep, now all we need is an 'honest cabby' story to top it off.

There must be some tourists left with a spare 200kbht in cash to leave in a bag on a back seat.

Stop it please, i am drinking coffee at the moment, nearly spilt it on my com, couldnt stop laughing at your priceless comment.

28 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

and even made their own kitchen, in a building next to the temple crematorium.

So it's all round to theirs for a BBQ.

In my experience, many of the poorer Thais are the most compassionate and generous. 

Many of the better-off seem to have a "I gave at the temple" attitude. 

Watching flight radar app it was amazing the number of flights per day leaving Phuket to Moscow all through March. I wonder how they missed getting home when there were at least four or six per day .

1 hour ago, Curt1591 said:

In my experience, many of the poorer Thais are the most compassionate and generous. 

Many of the better-off seem to have a "I gave at the temple" attitude. 

Exactly correct!

That's why the country was so different, in a positive way, decades ago.

The "Wannabe's" and "Nuvo Rich" are mostly the same in the whole world!

But in those times, them will also learn the lesson.

The "Bank" never lose!

Weird how their flight was cancelled but the airline wasn't able or was unwilling to assist in any way. I was due to fly on EVA last year but then there was that cabin crew walkout - they just booked me onto another flight. I know that now is a different situation, but surely they could arrange accommodation or something like that? 

Well they should feel quite at home not so different from a soviet era apartment in Novosibirsk,bit warmer.

2 hours ago, PJPom said:

Watching flight radar app it was amazing the number of flights per day leaving Phuket to Moscow all through March. I wonder how they missed getting home when there were at least four or six per day .

According to the article their 25th March flight back home was cancelled.

So they were probably not able to re-schedule their flight due to insufficient funds.

Staying in a temple on a tight budget (they had to walk back from the airport) is for sure not their idea of a nice holiday.

 

1 hour ago, jadee said:

Weird how their flight was cancelled but the airline wasn't able or was unwilling to assist in any way. I was due to fly on EVA last year but then there was that cabin crew walkout - they just booked me onto another flight. I know that now is a different situation, but surely they could arrange accommodation or something like that? 

Nope. Many airline cancel flights and give you a voucher open ended date or say they will arrange refund later date or simply do not respond. You are then left with having to book again which then gets cancelled and so on and so on. 

I'm not saying this happened with this group as don't know them. 

But I do know this is happening and is not always a case of people not wanting to go home as many suggest. Many have reached credit card limits due to this cycle of pay/cancel/pay etc. 

 

And I can't speak fot all countries but as others have said repatriated flights are not always free and in many instances more than 10x the original cost 

Good Thai people , they have warm hearts, that is how I know them

3 hours ago, jadee said:

Weird how their flight was cancelled but the airline wasn't able or was unwilling to assist in any way. I was due to fly on EVA last year but then there was that cabin crew walkout - they just booked me onto another flight. I know that now is a different situation, but surely they could arrange accommodation or something like that? 

Nothing weird about it ...in fact it's quite common ...same thing happened to me twice in less than 2 weeks and I've spoke with at least 5 other people in the same boat ...also on other forums most of the talk is about people being stranded after booking multiple flights only to be told they have been canceled without and other options . Some are lucky and get offered tokens towards future flights ...which is stupid considering no body knows when this $hit storm will end . 

Even travel insurance company's are changing the rules after taking money from customers .

They are all very quick to take our money but when they need to pay out it's a different story . I hope when and if all this is over they will be brought before a court and have the book thrown at them for their dirty deeds.  

I've always said, you will never starve in Thailand

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Given the amount of bad news we have been getting of late, nice to see that Thais, even though many of them are struggling to make ends meet, have the heart to assist those in need. Around the country I am sure there are many tourists way overdue to go home, who will also be having serious money problems. The sooner the virus problem is solved, the better for all concerned.

It would also be nice to see a slightly softer side to the Government here.

Maybe not to all, but certainly to some that are in dire straits, instead of all the lack of compassion being displayed.

Thailand needs to make friends now, and their attitude to many has only broken what were fragile relationships.

This Gov.t needs to remember that it takes a long time to build a good reputation, and only one event like this to see it ruined if not managed properly.

 

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Given the amount of bad news we have been getting of late, nice to see that Thais, even though many of them are struggling to make ends meet, have the heart to assist those in need. Around the country I am sure there are many tourists way overdue to go home, who will also be having serious money problems. The sooner the virus problem is solved, the better for all concerned.

Agreed, I think at the end of this month they should test all tourists who are stranded waiting to go home. If they past the test get them on a plane out of here & home.

Home countries can provide commercial or military flights and if need-be quarantine them on arrival home if they so wish!

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

once he is able to return to Russia, he will tell his friends how kind Thai people are.

… so that thousands more can come and have a free holiday in Thailand...

There is a great opportunity here for the Thai government to show the world how good you are a huge PR how many Thai airways planes a grounded? Well put them to good use and get these tourists home 

In the Thai news this morning  ( TNN and AmarinTV ) they  said that locals had reported seeing three ghosts at the temple and rushed to inform the authorities..who upon investigation found the 3 Russians camping at the temple, penniless but surviving with  canned fish and mama noodles..3 locals where shown bringing food and some toilet paper.