Number of Russian visitors in Phuket instantly drops, Phuket struggles to find solutions for hundreds of stranded tourists with no access to funds due to sanctions

[bristolgeoff]

They are feeling the affect of what putin is doing now.They know the  world is against what he is doing

[eastlight]

8 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

Agree. Russians I’ve met on Jomtien beach have been gracious people, happy to try out their limited English. I’ve even been given food by Russians who probably have way less money than I do. Not their fault that their leader’s an evil psychopath.

Russians are not supposed to have contact with non Russians 

[VBF]

57 minutes ago, slonopotam said:

Russian here.

This is not the first time I read incorrect IMO generalizations on this forum, so I decided to clarify a bit.

There is a very wide range of opinions in Russian society about Putin and the war, but in general, more educated and wealthy Russians are strongly opposed to what is happening. And it is the people from this stratum who travel more often and use foreign goods and services, and it was they who were hit the hardest by the sanctions. A typical Putin supporter sits at home watching TV and does not go to Thailand (and never been abroad at all), little will change for him.

Many Russians would not like to return to Russia now - those who have the opportunity are looking for options to stay. Many have foreign currency savings and / or income in foreign currency. The situation with the blocking of bank cards outside of Russia has made it difficult to stay in Thailand, but there are many options to get around this blocking. My colleagues, for example, are going from Moscow to Thailand in the near future for an indefinite period in order to be away from the military psychosis.
 

As for the Russians, who did nothing to stop Putin, this statement is for some reason repeated uncritically over and over again. There has been an active protest movement in Russia for the last 11 years, it is risky to participate in it and many have suffered in one way or another, but the struggle continues. If you think it was worth just trying a little better and overthrow Putin - welcome, you can also try to come to Moscow and personally participate in these attempts, maybe after that you will understand our situation a little better.
 

Sorry for the long post.

Excellent post ????

I'll add to that, if I may, that over the years, I have worked, in UK and ME with several Russian engineers and /or scientists. They being of the "more educated" group, I found them to be interesting, positive and fun to be with. Some of your countrymen whom I've encountered in Thailand, I would rather avoid. 'Nuff said.

 

Referring to those who travel more, you could say the same about we Brits and also Americans. Those of us who travel have a world view and tend to form our own opinions - those "armchair travellers" who get their news from the trash media really don't have their own opinions at all - as you say, little will change for him/her...they'll continue to "enjoy" their ignorance and bigotry.

Good luck to you.

[ratcatcher]

On 3/8/2022 at 5:42 AM, steven100 said:

These stranded [Russians] should tell their embassy in BKK to call Putin's rich Oligarch's .....and have them bring their  $200Million dollar yachts over and pick them up on the beach.  

 

 

I think the oligarchs fit just the profile that the Thai government is looking for. Wealthy, foreigners. No names, no pack drill.

[Nabby]

4 hours ago, jwest10 said:

afraid good and bad everywhere in the world!!

Thanks for that amazing insight. 

[Jimbo53]

7 hours ago, JoePai said:

So any reason they do not charter planes to evacuate their nationals ?

If your Russian get in touch with your Embassy,and ask them,if your not,then why bother?

[racket]

One way to fix this is to let them open u bank accounts tied to UnionPay such as Bangkok bank. They can then transfer money from Russia to their account here. Problem solved. 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

28 minutes ago, VBF said:

Those of us who travel have a world view and tend to form our own opinions - those "armchair travellers" who get their news from the trash media really don't have their own opinions at all

Can you please define “trash media” or are you generalising about all media outlets; if so, please tell us where you are getting your news from about the appalling invasion of Ukraine, and how you are managing to formulate your world view …. thanks

[steven100]

Russians made their bed .....      as another poster said they had plenty of time to absconder to another country.

[Rocking Robert]

Everything back to normal when this War is over in about 12 years 

[CygnusX1]

46 minutes ago, eastlight said:

Russians are not supposed to have contact with non Russians 

Never realised that I was getting myself into James Bond territory. I’ve actually been approached by so many Russians on Jomtien beach over the years that I had to learn the Russian for “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Russian!”

[VBF]

1 hour ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Can you please define “trash media” or are you generalising about all media outlets; if so, please tell us where you are getting your news from about the appalling invasion of Ukraine, and how you are managing to formulate your world view …. thanks

You're taking my comment slightly out of context. I was referring to people who, instead of travelling, form all their world views on what they are TOLD rather than going to see for themselves. IE..  I'm on this forum because i have spent many happy times IN THAILAND, so my opinions are mine, not just those of others on the forum.  i can, therefore debate from a position of experience.

 

My world view is also based on 30 years + of travelling for work and pleasure in some nice and some not so nice places

 

To answer your question directly, I'm in UK, so if i read something in (say) the Daily Mail, i won't automatically believe it. Rather, I'll compare with The Times, Guardian, BBC, ITV etc etc.  If there are specialist blogs, I'll read them too.

If it's a scientific issue (Covid for example) I'll go straight to Medical and University sites rather than accept mainstream media's output.

 

As regards Ukraine, I have no choice but to use MSM BUT..... I read more than one source and have looked at a few blogs.

My point, is to QUESTION rather than believe automatically.

Answer your question?

[humqdpf]

13 hours ago, Thunglom said:

let's face it quite apart from not being able to pay, they is hardly a country in the world that would welcome Russians at present.

Any Russian who expects otherwise would be utterly foolhardy.

Actually you would be surprised. Any country that voted to abstain would in theory accept Russians. I used the term "in theory" because in practice China is not accepting anyone, neither is Laos etc

[steven100]

Well it's gunna drop alot more after this news gets out  ......

Thailand on CDC travel warning due to very high COVID-19 levels.

 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/cdc-warns-travelers-avoid-zealand-234343179.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[paulikens]

who said nothing good comes out of war

[steven100]

maybe it's time to visit a beach at Phuket .......   deserted =   bliss   

[steven100]

3 hours ago, Jimbo53 said:

If your Russian get in touch with your Embassy,and ask them,if your not,then why bother?

have them contact one of the Oligarchs ....  they should be able to get you a yacht from the Maldives 

[Stefanix]

15 hours ago, Benmart said:

I am grateful that I have resources to live here, but mostly that I have never met some of the creatures who post such hateful things about other people. It's the Russian government, not the individua Russian l tourist who is behind all this.

From what I have read, Putin still has a strong basis. Only well informed younger Russians in big cities draw their conclusions and protest. At the end it will be said it was nobodies fault, everyone just following orders.

I don't know what background the average Russian tourist in Thailand has. But to afford such vacation you must probably have a reasonable job, which probably requires to be an obedient follower. Although many Russians might be against this war, allowing the "system Putin" only made this move possible! Therefore whole Russia needs to feel the sanctions, unfortunately innocent dissidents can not be excluded.

[Kinnock]

I thought Thailand had a well established system to deal with penniless (Rubleless?) immigrants who don't have the means to go home?  

 

Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who's support or inaction allows a dictotor to order the killing of civilians.

[Mister Fixit]

23 hours ago, Benmart said:

I am grateful that I have resources to live here, but mostly that I have never met some of the creatures who post such hateful things about other people. It's the Russian government, not the individua Russian l tourist who is behind all this.

And it's the Russian people who 'voted' Putin in and they got what they wished for,  

[Mister Fixit]

22 hours ago, Henryford said:

Who do you think are killing Ukranian women and children. Not the Russian Government it's Russian people.

Spot on, and not always under duress either.  

[Mister Fixit]

22 hours ago, harada said:

Just going by the saying, it’s all in the eyes, from what I’ve seen of Putin lately, I think he might be heading for Siberia in a straight jacket before long. 

More like in a coffin, if the speculation about his health is correct.  

[tonray]

5 minutes ago, Henryford said:

What is there to stop the Russian people from doing the same? In these circumstances, no one can force you to shoot people.

The problem is in a war zone all bets are off....perhaps you were ordered to shoot civilians but there may be bullets flying every which way including in your direction. Hardly a time to make rational decisions about shooting into the air.

[Mister Fixit]

On 3/8/2022 at 8:49 AM, Henryford said:

Who do you think are killing Ukranian women and children. Not the Russian Government it's Russian people.

Yup, I read somewhere in the last few days that over 70% of Russians back Putin and his attack on Ukraine.  
They may well live to regret that they have been brainwashed for decades now that their country has become the new pariah of the world, when they can't get petrol, smartphones, and even bread.  

 

 

[GinBoy2]

23 hours ago, IamNoone88 said:

How history quickly forgets that the Russians were the allies of Britain and France in World war 1 under the Triple Entente fighting against Germany. They lost up to 2.5 million soldiers in that war, fighting with the allies. In world war two, the great allies of Britain, the US and the Soviet Union formed the Grande Alliance and that was the key to Victory. Without the Soviet Union, the allies would have lost and life would be different today. Roughly 8.6 million Russian soldiers died fighting for the allies in World War Two. They lost about 20 million people in total from all causes. A huge sacrifice.

 

No one recalls the history because we are too busy with Tik tok or Facebook BS but we owe a lot of our freedoms to Russia - once strong allies. 

 

Nato has a short memory as well. Under the Minsk Agreement, after the break up of the Soviet Union, they were not meant to expand into Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. They did, breaking that treaty which Russia allowed to slide ..... but not without objection.

 

Nato and Europe then, having taken an inch, wanted to take the full yard and pushed for Ukraine to join and that was always a red line for Russian .... yet they kept pushing. Putin warned and warned again ...... you don't poke the bear. If the Minsk Agreement was observed by Nato, then it may be a different outcome today than the sh1tfight we have now.

 

The foolish and manipulating leaders in the West should take a leaf from Sun Tze .... keep your friends close and your "enemies" (once our greatest allies!) closer.

 

So have some sympathy for the Russian's stuck here. They are just caught up in something they cannot control and certainly most I meet are good solid people (as are Ukrainians). It is is mess of epic proportion .... caused by politicians.

I think you maybe mixing up, and confusing the text of your 'agreements'. 

 

The Minsk agreement was essentially the ceasefire in the Donbas

The Budapest agreement was the one where Russia agreed never to attack Ukraine if they gave up their nuclear weapons.

 

Neither of those agreements said anything about limiting NATO expansion.

 

Neither Minsk or Budapest seem to have mattered much in Putin's mind

[Eloquent pilgrim]

17 hours ago, VBF said:

You're taking my comment slightly out of context. I was referring to people who, instead of travelling, form all their world views on what they are TOLD rather than going to see for themselves. IE..  I'm on this forum because i have spent many happy times IN THAILAND, so my opinions are mine, not just those of others on the forum.  i can, therefore debate from a position of experience.

 

My world view is also based on 30 years + of travelling for work and pleasure in some nice and some not so nice places

 

To answer your question directly, I'm in UK, so if i read something in (say) the Daily Mail, i won't automatically believe it. Rather, I'll compare with The Times, Guardian, BBC, ITV etc etc.  If there are specialist blogs, I'll read them too.

If it's a scientific issue (Covid for example) I'll go straight to Medical and University sites rather than accept mainstream media's output.

 

As regards Ukraine, I have no choice but to use MSM BUT..... I read more than one source and have looked at a few blogs.

My point, is to QUESTION rather than believe automatically.

Answer your question?

 

Thanks for your explanation. So, you are sitting in the UK, digesting information from the mainstream media, and consequently being one of those “armchair travellers” that you so scorn. Anyhow, thank’s for mentioning The Guardian, at least that gives some clarity to the trash media you alluded to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but your comment that I replied to came across as rather pretentious (I travel and am therefore able to form my own opinion) and condescending / patronising (other British & American “armchair travellers” don’t have their own opinions at all)

 

Unlike millions of Russians living in poverty, most Brits and Americans are able to travel widely, especially, but not exclusively, members on this forum.

 

You seem to think that your world view has validity because of the media  sources that inform you, whereas those that get their information from other sources, continue to enjoy their ignorance and bigotry ……………. hmmmm

[Harveyboy]

every cloud has a silver lining eh...pack my bags i think Phuket sounds good for once

[Harveyboy]

On 3/8/2022 at 7:20 AM, Benmart said:

I am grateful that I have resources to live here, but mostly that I have never met some of the creatures who post such hateful things about other people. It's the Russian government, not the individua Russian l tourist who is behind all this.

i can take it from you comments you don't have your place ie house..condo surrounded by these Nice (not) Russians.. 

[Mister Fixit]

On 3/8/2022 at 10:49 AM, crazykopite said:

I agree with everything you say and yes I feel for those Russians who are holed up around the world unable to get funds or use there credit/debit cards due to the actions of a madman. The Russian citizens are the only people who can remove this evil by going onto the streets in there millions even if Putin is defeated in this invasion / war as long as he is in power as President the sanctions will remain and the only people who will suffer are the citizens of Russia . Putin will still have a warm place to sleep , and plenty of food this guy has stolen billions from his own people it’s time for them to have an uprising and get rid of him 

And the oloigarchs (many in the UK) who helped him get there, knowing their nests would be well feathered as a reward.  

[Mister Fixit]

On 3/8/2022 at 12:42 PM, Enoon said:

Britain and Russia.

 

19th century.

Britain and Russia start off as friends....because Napoleonic France  threatens all the monarchies of Europe and that of Russia.

 

Then Britain and Russia stop being friends..............because Britain feels that Russian expansion South and East threatens Britains empire.

 

Britain becomes friends with the Ottoman Empire (anti Russian) and, together with France (friendly now) and Sardinia, defeats Russia in the Crimean War.

 

Later on the Ottoman Empire starts to get friendly with the rising German Empire, so Britain makes up with Russia to counteract Germany who, it feels, is challenging it's pre-eminence.

 

20th century

A big war takes place during which Britain plays a large part in defeating the Ottoman empire, Russia fights Germany for a while but then goes "commie", and signs a treaty with Germany, and Britain, together with various other countries, invades Russia in 1918.

 

For the next 20 years Britain and Russia are no longer friends, especially when Russia helps Germany to re-arm and signs another treaty with Germany.

 

Germany and Russia invade Poland in 1939.....half each.......that was the purpose of the treaty, to grab Poland without upsetting each other.

 

Britain is now, technically, at war with Russia, due to a treaty that Britain has with Poland..........but seems to ignore it.

 

In 1941, to Stalins utter astonishment, Germany invades Russia and forces it into a war for Russias survival.

 

Britain and Russia become friends "for the duration".

 

Russia survives and grabs half of Europe.......thus half of Europe finds itself under a dictatorship not far removed from the one it thought it was being saved from.

 

Mid 20th to early 21st century

Britain and Russia cease to be friends......then they think they are again.......then they're not.

 

Sometimes Russia are the good guys......sometimes they're not.

 

Right now they're not.

 

 

Excellent synopsis.  Oh, how positions shift when they become expedient ...