“We can no longer live a normal life”- Russians in Thailand feel the pressure as global sanctions ratchet up

[webfact]

 

By Caleb Quinley

 

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, western governments are grappling with how to assist the Ukrainian people and stop Putin’s deadly war.

 

So far, the West’s weapon of choice has been the implementation of massive economic sanctions aimed at forcing the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to stop the invasion. But experts say that sanctions won’t be able to cripple the Kremlin enough to end the conflict. 

 

The sanctions are affecting many of those who have chosen to live and work in Thailand and countless Russians are now finding themselves stranded. Not only are many experiencing financial burdens, multiple Russian citizens told Thai Enquirer that they are facing discrimination.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38798/we-can-no-longer-live-a-normal-life-russians-in-thailand-feel-the-pressure-as-global-sanctions-ratchet-up/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-22

 

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[law ling]

Well, if there's any justice in the world, sanctions against Russia should be increased further, and remain for a very, very long time ... so the affected "innocent Russians" better get used to it, and plan accordingly 

[atpeace]

Have some under 40 Russian friends that were happy living a simple life here but basically just covering living cost each month.  I'm currently in the sticks and haven't seen them in months and worry they can't meet their basic needs with the drop of their currency value.  Just a reminder to be grateful for what you have because like them it can all change rather fast.

Edited March 22, 2022 by atpeace

[Bkk Brian]

My sympathies lie with the Ukrainian's stranded here first. They are having their homes flattened and may not have anything to go back to.

[tonray]

Only Russians can take care of their "Putin" problem...sanctions will not ultimately hurt people with net worths in the tens of billions. Seize 80% of their assets and they are still billionaires.....but before they are hurt the average Russian family will be decimated. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, millions lost pensions that they had worked 40 years to earn, lost homes, everything while the oligarchs with Putin's blessing bilked them for everything. Only Russans can solve their problems in the end.

Edited March 22, 2022 by tonray

[ThailandRyan]

Life for everyone can be tenuous especially when you are affected by what your Top dog in the country decides to do. I am sure that many of the ethnic folks that are her from all of the other countries who are in Thailand now, like my GF from Myanmar, are having issues based upon wars and atrocities that are being carried out in their home countries, or for those whose countries decided they wanted what someone else has and have moved to take it.  It is not those folks fault, but unfortunately being 100% invested in their home country they end up paying the price.  I hope all who are affected, from all of the countries, are given an opportunity to either stay or get assistance. 

[mtls2005]

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

But experts say that sanctions won’t be able to cripple the Kremlin enough to end the conflict. 

 

"Experts"?

 

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

Not only are many experiencing financial burdens, multiple Russian citizens told Thai Enquirer that they are facing discrimination.

"Discrimination"? 

 

In the article only one russian woman is quoted as mentioning "discrimination".

 

Look, you empowered your leader. Own it.

 

Vlad made you a "victim", whinge to him.

 

 

 

 

[kimamey]

6 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

"Experts"?

 

"Discrimination"? 

 

In the article only one russian woman is quoted as mentioning "discrimination".

 

Look, you empowered your leader. Own it.

 

Vlad made you a "victim", whinge to him.

 

 

 

 

I doubt there's much the average Russian can do as they don't seem to have democratic elections anymore and even if they did you can still end up a government you didn't vote for. I'm in that situation in the UK. 

 

Western governments are also to blame for empowering Putin by not standing up to him earlier. 

[Letseng]

Now Russians know how Ukrainians feel = stranded.

All thanks to power crazy Putin. Why feel sorry for Russians? 

[Letseng]

20 minutes ago, kimamey said:

I doubt there's much the average Russian can do as they don't seem to have democratic elections anymore and even if they did you can still end up a government you didn't vote for. I'm in that situation in the UK. 

 

Western governments are also to blame for empowering Putin by not standing up to him earlier. 

Why don't these stranded Russians in Thailand publicly denounce what their leader does? Then I could feel sorry for them. Know a lady who left non Russian husband & kids in Bkk and flew home to "support" her country.

[Silencer]

1 minute ago, Letseng said:

Why don't these stranded Russians in Thailand publicly denounce what their leader does? Then I could feel sorry for them. Know a lady who left non Russian husband & kids in Bkk and flew home to "support" her country.

I honestly don't know how they feel here. I suspect the ones that are against the war, or Putin, know their social media is monitored (locally, by the Russian Embassy) so I only see positive comments from Russian posters. Putin has called them "scum" and "traitors" and I would suspect their lives back home could be made worse if they come out as anti-Putin. 

[Gold ticket]

Thailand’s chosen customers, Russians, Indians and Chinese, all supportive of the atrocities being carried out in Ukraine.

[RafPinto]

Who cares about the Russians.

The Ukrainians should get much more press and help.
They are the ones suffering.

Are the ruskys more important?

[Jimbo53]

21 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Why don't these stranded Russians in Thailand publicly denounce what their leader does? Then I could feel sorry for them. Know a lady who left non Russian husband & kids in Bkk and flew home to "support" her country.

Where was she from?

[Tropicalevo]

Many of us live here in Thailand for a number of reasons.

One of those reasons is that we do not want to live in our country of origin because we do not like some of the things happening there and, as individuals, we cannot change things.

We would not rush back to our CoO to try and change things if we knew that we would be gaoled for up to 15 years if we did so.

We would not speak out against our leader back home if we knew that our family and friends could be harassed, gaoled and possibly even tortured if we said anything.

Some Russians are no different to us.

Not all Russians are Putin fans.

Edited March 22, 2022 by Tropicalevo

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, kimamey said:

Western governments are also to blame for empowering Putin by not standing up to him earlier. 

That's almost the same as saying that it's thw way ladies are dressing that is the cause for rape.

In my opinion no.

The fault is at the side, which began a "special military operation" and  the nation that backed it to happen from that nation's land.

[Hummin]

I know one Russian diving instructor, who now adress himself as polish citizen now!

 

I understand why he choose to do so.

 

It is not our job judge Russians in Thailand if they do not provoke their view on us in one or other way.

[RmcaIssan]

1 hour ago, tonray said:

Only Russians can take care of their "Putin" problem...sanctions will not ultimately hurt people with net worths in the tens of billions. Seize 80% of their assets and they are still billionaires.....but before they are hurt the average Russian family will be decimated. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, millions lost pensions that they had worked 40 years to earn, lost homes, everything while the oligarchs with Putin's blessing bilked them for everything. Only Russans can solve their problems in the end.

Turning into a 'North Korea' ... Dissidents will be dealt with !!

Putin has demonstrated to the world how to destroy 2 countries in < 30 days and, shows his true barbaric personality !!

[Silencer]

47 minutes ago, Gold ticket said:

Thailand’s chosen customers, Russians, Indians and Chinese, all supportive of the atrocities being carried out in Ukraine.

You can tell a lot about a country by the friends it keeps.

[sungod]

46 minutes ago, audaciousnomad said:

Well, Merkel tried to warn Trump....but he's just wanted to w--k Putin off.  He loves him. They should share a jail cell together and take turns dropping the soap.

What did Merkel do about it?

 

Became energy dependent on Russia, invested in Nordstream 2 and neglected to spend 2% of its GDP on it armed forces as a commitment to NATO. look where that got us.

 

Her other major achievement was to open Europe to anyyone from Africa/ middle east.  Mainly men who if they remained would be persecuted and killed, but apparently OK for the families they left behind. Brave men indeed.

 

What we are seeing now is a real refugee crisis, men sending their families off to safety and then join up to fight the Russian invaders. The women and children dont want to leave, but have to. They would relish the chance to return to Ukraine if/when the situation allows.

 

Merkel's refugees just want to strip our welfare systems dry. 

[tonray]

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

Why don't these stranded Russians in Thailand publicly denounce what their leader does? Then I could feel sorry for them. Know a lady who left non Russian husband & kids in Bkk and flew home to "support" her country.

Even calling the special operation a war has been made a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison... vaguely reminiscent of a certain law in another country we're familiar with.

[herfiehandbag]

It's very sad, desperately unfortunate.

 

Almost as sad as burying  children in massed graves.

 

Almost as unfortunate as being slaughtered by shellfire whilst hurrying your children across a crossroads in an attempt to flee to a safe place.

Edited March 22, 2022 by herfiehandbag

[atpeace]

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

Now Russians know how Ukrainians feel = stranded.

All thanks to power crazy Putin. Why feel sorry for Russians? 

You answered your own question. Right?

[2 is 1]

Many other country has fight from own freedom! Many other country has suffer from civil war! They have do that to get democracy! Russia has never been democracy nation! People can make nation not leader's on it! If people follow they leader like dog's, leader's will treat you like one's!

[RichardColeman]

Stranded, as opposed to Ukranians sheltering daily from the Russian abusive war machine, murdering women and children and OAP's. I know who my sympathies lay with and it aint the moaning Russians

[sungod]

27 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Legitim Source of the text? Or did you write it yourself?

I think the PR department of the Russian Embassy did it for him.

[grego49]

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

My sympathies lie with the Ukrainian's stranded here first. They are having their homes flattened and may not have anything to go back to.

 Agree,Sad but true,,,

[Excel]

2 hours ago, Gold ticket said:

Thailand’s chosen customers, Russians, Indians and Chinese, all supportive of the atrocities being carried out in Ukraine.

Similar mindsets.

[Al BB]

1 hour ago, herfiehandbag said:

It's very sad, desperately unfortunate.

 

Almost as sad as burying  children in massed graves.

 

Almost as unfortunate as being slaughtered by shellfire whilst hurrying your children across a crossroads in an attempt to flee to a safe place.

Or being shot, queuing for bread..

[Mavideol]

“We can no longer live a normal life”

why they don't tell that to the death Ukrainians and see what the answer would be