Russian Tourists Flocking To Koh Samui

[webfact]

European tourists arriving at Koh Samui airport. Photos: Naewna

 

by TNR Staff Comment

 

THE outlook of Koh Samui this high season is bright with a large number of European tourists escaping the winter there to enjoy the sunshine here and amid this is the noteworthy return of Russian holidaymakers, Naewna newspaper said Sunday evening (Oct. 30).

 

Mr. Ratchaporn Poolsawat, president of Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, said a survey of local and foreign travel agents shows that the number of tourists visiting Koh Samui from early December to the end of the month would be approximately the same as pre-Covid-19 days.

 

While advance bookings are satisfactory, it has been observed that tourists are making shorter bookings prior to their arrival and entrepreneurs were urged to adjust their advertising and public relations campaigns to spur the market.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/10/30/russian-tourists-flocking-to-koh-samui/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2022-10-31

 

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[Why Me]

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

[Jingthing]

I've noticed a spike of Russians in Jomtien recently. Nothing like the old days, but noticeable. The majority looked like young and middle aged men alone or in groups that I took to probably be mobilization refugees. In other words I didn't get a holiday vibe but more of a freaked out vibe. But also some families that may also be refugees. 

[thaibeachlovers]

8 minutes ago, Why Me said:

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

Do tell.

Is it not a fact that the last thing any Ukrainian will be doing at present is holiday in Thailand?

I understand that no Ukrainian man of fighting age is even allowed to leave the country.

[thaibeachlovers]

Just now, Jingthing said:

I've noticed a spike of Russians in Jomtien recently. Nothing like the old days, but noticeable. The majority looked like young and middle aged men alone or in groups that I took to probably be mobilization refugees. In other words I didn't get a holiday vibe but more of a freaked out vibe. But also some families that may also be refugees. 

They never caused a problem in Pattaya that I was aware of ( unlike those from a hotter region ), and their totty is generally of a high standard.

[CANSIAM]

There are numerous Ruskies in Phuket as well, many appear to be 'fighting' age. Tourists or Mobilization Refugees ? I would imagine Mr Ratchaporn does not know the difference.......

[CartagenaWarlock]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I've noticed a spike of Russians in Jomtien recently. Nothing like the old days, but noticeable.

Pre Covid-19, the Rompho market was full of Russian families. I used to wonder what the Russian familie do in Jomtien. Most were young with families. They even had a school van taking their kids to schools from Dusit Park condo. In the evening, most of the Thai eateries were doing brisk business in Rompho market. During the day time, Chinese were buying fruits and vegetables from Rompho market. I was informed it all died during the Covid as I left Thailand just before Covid exploded. Have plan to visit Thailand next year. 

[bradiston]

This article must takes the prize for hot air headline of the year. Photos of Suvarnabhumi airport, an anonymous jet and some Thai airways jets, some hotel lobby with 3 or 4 people in it, a queue of 10 or so nondescript arrivals somewhere, and people picking up their bags from a carousel. Oh, but there's a report that travel agents both near and far have estimated that arrivals in December will approximately match pre COVID numbers. And not forgetting TAT in Moscow and the Russian Embassy confirming there would soon be 3 flights a day to Koh Samui. You could ONLY make this stuff up!

[Why Me]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I understand that no Ukrainian man of fighting age is even allowed to leave the country.

You are right. Which would explain their absence. Another reason for even those who might be exempt not traveling is the currently horrible exchange rate for their currency. Out of curiosity poked my head into xe.com and saw a couple of puzzling charts.

 

The Russian RUB to THB rate took off like a rocket couple of weeks into the war, peaked end of June and has stayed relatively high. Ukrainian UAH to THB also took off right after the war though not as sharply and then end of July dropped like a stone losing looks like 30% of its value in a day and is still low though it has picked up some over the last month.

 

This is weird. Russia is being throttled by sanctions so there's obviously less demand for RUB to buy their exports, which means the currency should drop. Ukraine on the other hand has billions of dollars pouring in which will have to be used to buy UAH to be spent there so the value of the currency should go up. No? Will someone who understands economics kindly explain the anomaly.

 

[IAMHERE]

3 hours ago, Why Me said:

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

I worry how the Russian will treat me. I'm not Ukrainian but my country 'gives' munitions and training to Ukrainians. 

[thaibeachlovers]

2 minutes ago, Why Me said:

This is weird. Russia is being throttled by sanctions so there's obviously less demand for RUB to buy their exports, which means the currency should drop.

Could it possibly be because we are not being given the full picture about Russia? Lots of propaganda about these days.

[thaibeachlovers]

Just now, IAMHERE said:

I worry how the Russian will treat me. I'm not Ukrainian but my country 'gives' munitions and training to Ukrainians. 

I doubt they will know where you are from unless you tell them.

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Could it possibly be because we are not being given the full picture about Russia? Lots of propaganda about these days.

Doesn't that depend on what picture you want to be given? After all you have free internet access to get all perspectives in both western and Russian eng language speaking media, unlike Russia where its restricted.

[Sandboxer]

I generally like Russians and hope they are welcomed here regardless of political situations (as they are like azzhools, right?).

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, CANSIAM said:

There are numerous Ruskies in Phuket as well, many appear to be 'fighting' age. Tourists or Mobilization Refugees ? I would imagine Mr Ratchaporn does not know the difference.......

There is, I've also noticed a spike in Russian tourists in Phuket. However many have been here throughout anyway, International Schools have a very large proportion of Russian students, the family can then get education visa's as a result so they can all stay here.

[RichardColeman]

I wonder if Thailand was as keen on Pol Pot's murdering regime tourists during his mad reign - seems they love axis of evil tourism

[Bo Sa]

23 minutes ago, Why Me said:

You are right. Which would explain their absence. Another reason for even those who might be exempt not traveling is the currently horrible exchange rate for their currency. Out of curiosity poked my head into xe.com and saw a couple of puzzling charts.

 

The Russian RUB to THB rate took off like a rocket couple of weeks into the war, peaked end of June and has stayed relatively high. Ukrainian UAH to THB also took off right after the war though not as sharply and then end of July dropped like a stone losing looks like 30% of its value in a day and is still low though it has picked up some over the last month.

 

This is weird. Russia is being throttled by sanctions so there's obviously less demand for RUB to buy their exports, which means the currency should drop. Ukraine on the other hand has billions of dollars pouring in which will have to be used to buy UAH to be spent there so the value of the currency should go up. No? Will someone who understands economics kindly explain the anomaly.

 

I think it is not a big deal to understand. When they put sanctions in power regarding their imports but never thought to close their exports. So it means more demand for local Russian currency. That's explains why.

[bradiston]

20 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

I worry how the Russian will treat me. I'm not Ukrainian but my country 'gives' munitions and training to Ukrainians. 

Are you serious? You're worried about some non existent Russians beating you up because your country joined the war against Russia? Very few Russians here in Pratamnak, which has a high concentration of Russian owned condo apartments. I live in one. I think they are well aware of the animosity, if not outright fury many ex pat Europeans feel about their invasion of Ukraine and are keeping an extremely profile. In my local spa there are the odd Russians, but they're treated like any other customers. I always try and initiate a conversation, same as I do with everybody. But what can you, or they say? I've met Ukrainians too. Easy to confuse the two for a non Russian speaking westerner. And most of Central Asia is Russian speaking.

[CANSIAM]

13 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

There is, I've also noticed a spike in Russian tourists in Phuket. However many have been here throughout anyway, International Schools have a very large proportion of Russian students, the family can then get education visa's as a result so they can all stay here.

I may have a young Russian couple neighbour soon for 2-3 months my landlord says, his inquiries for some of his rentals is 80% Russian. Looking forward to some gentle small talk, see what their mindset is.............

[ChrisY1]

If this report is right...then obviously the banks have withdrawn their sanctions on Russians using international banking.

If this is the case, then it's another "birdie" finger for sanctioning countries.

[JimHuaHin]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I've noticed a spike of Russians in Jomtien recently. Nothing like the old days, but noticeable. The majority looked like young and middle aged men alone or in groups that I took to probably be mobilization refugees. In other words I didn't get a holiday vibe but more of a freaked out vibe. But also some families that may also be refugees. 

Similar to Hua Hin - mainly young men, a small proportion of families (young and old) and some older men.

[2baht]

45 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

I worry how the Russian will treat me. I'm not Ukrainian but my country 'gives' munitions and training to Ukrainians. 

Unless it's tattood on your forehead, how would they know?

[2baht]

32 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I wonder if Thailand was as keen on Pol Pot's murdering regime tourists during his mad reign - seems they love axis of evil tourism

They did'nt mind treating his ailments in a certain Bkk hospital during his reign of terror!

[anandra]

4 hours ago, Why Me said:

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

No way, they just try yo avoid each other  and not contact. In Europe they come across each other more often

[anandra]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Do tell.

Is it not a fact that the last thing any Ukrainian will be doing at present is holiday in Thailand?

I understand that no Ukrainian man of fighting age is even allowed to leave the country.

no, it is not the fact. Did not an idea that many ukrainians arrived here before the war. Lots of digital nomads, remote workers, students, retired, married. These who arrived recently are women for sure.

[anandra]

1 hour ago, Why Me said:

You are right. Which would explain their absence. Another reason for even those who might be exempt not traveling is the currently horrible exchange rate for their currency. Out of curiosity poked my head into xe.com and saw a couple of puzzling charts.

 

The Russian RUB to THB rate took off like a rocket couple of weeks into the war, peaked end of June and has stayed relatively high. Ukrainian UAH to THB also took off right after the war though not as sharply and then end of July dropped like a stone losing looks like 30% of its value in a day and is still low though it has picked up some over the last month.

 

This is weird. Russia is being throttled by sanctions so there's obviously less demand for RUB to buy their exports, which means the currency should drop. Ukraine on the other hand has billions of dollars pouring in which will have to be used to buy UAH to be spent there so the value of the currency should go up. No? Will someone who understands economics kindly explain the anomaly.

 

Another lack of knowledge. There sre some categories of men in Ukraine that are allowed to leave, and there is no total mobilisation in Ukraine as it is in russia

[nobodysfriend]

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

I worry how the Russian will treat me. I'm not Ukrainian but my country 'gives' munitions and training to Ukrainians. 

Generalisations are never good , a lot of those russians may not be friends of Putin .

Putin is a dictator , many in Russia want a regime change .

[2baht]

4 hours ago, Why Me said:

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

They probably discuss what a war mongering knobhead Putin is!

[ChaiyaTH]

4 hours ago, Why Me said:

I wonder what happens when Russian and Ukrainians find themselves side by side on beach chairs or in a bar. Fisticuffs or "Brother, what happens in Europe stays in Europe. The next round is on me."

They are constantly in the south and there is no issue for them. As always it is only us westerners making it such a drama. To then blame the whole financial crisis on it on top of course.

 

In fact my volleybal telegram group consists of 50/50 Russians and Ukrainians, many of them are actually behind Russia too.

[Sparktrader]

Russians are mostly good