Russian tourists arriving on an inaugural charter flight are warmly welcomed. Photo: Matichon

 

by TNR Staff

 

THE arrival of the first Russian charter flight at U-Tapao International Airport Saturday (Nov. 26) after a long suspension and daily shuttles now likely signals a bustling high-season for Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok with this uptick expected to continue next year, Matichon newspaper said.

 

At 7:45 a.m. Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet along with U-Tapao Airport Director Adm. Rapeepong Sowan and representatives of private travel businesses were on hand to welcome the 236 Russian tourists who flew in on Azur Airline’s inaugural charter flight from Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport.

 

Mr. Sanphet Supabwornsathien, president of the Eastern Thai Hotel Association, said the arrival of this charter flight is a good sign that Russian tourists are now eager to travel again especially to escape the winter in their country.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/11/26/charter-flights-bringing-more-russian-tourists-to-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2022-11-28

 

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Good is the smell of money, from wherever it comes (Juvenal).

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Russian tourists are now eager to travel again especially to escape the winter in their country.

Or escape Crimea beaches from Ukrainian military advances, ie., to a country with great winter beaches and a Russian sympathetic government?

aka Blood Money for Thailand.

Shame on you Thailand and your money grubbing ways. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the 236 Russian tourists who flew in

How many will be flying out in two weeks time?  It's bonanza time for Pattaya Immigration as young Russian men seek to avoid conscription to Putin's war.

Here come the Russian Draftee's that do not want to be "DRAFTED!"

The Russians are Coming, The Russians are coming.

Brilliant 1966 comedy movie.

How did TAT miss it? Oh!????????

 

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Or escape Crimea beaches from Ukrainian military advances, ie., to a country with great winter beaches and a Russian sympathetic government?

aka Blood Money for Thailand.

I await Putin declaring he is moving troops into Phuket to protect the Russian speakers there. OK, just being a smart ares.

With all the sanctions, I wonder who is facilitating the Money made available to the Rusky Tourists  for their Vacation 

The mind doth boggle

 

2 hours ago, Dan747 said:

Here come the Russian Draftee's that do not want to be "DRAFTED!"

Like the three ladies in the photo????

7 hours ago, webfact said:

At 7:45 a.m. Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet along with U-Tapao Airport Director Adm. Rapeepong Sowan and representatives of private travel businesses were on hand to welcome the 236 Russian tourists who flew in on Azur Airline’s inaugural charter flight from Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport.

That's how desperate they really are.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Sanphet Supabwornsathien, president of the Eastern Thai Hotel Association, said the arrival of this charter flight is a good sign that Russian tourists are now eager to travel again especially to escape the winter in their country.

Does he watch the news I wonder?

Smiling Russians greeted at U-Tapao as first charter flight since Covid brings 230 tourists to Pattaya

 

Picture: INN

 

Deputy chief of the Thai tourist police Pol Maj-Gen Aphichart Suribunya said that officials at U-Tapao airport near Pattaya, the Pattaya TAT and Chonburi tourist board were on hand to welcome the first charter flight since the pandemic from Russia.

 

On board AZUL AIR from Novosibirsk - Utapao were 230 Russians who smiled as they were presented with garlands and sweets in a ceremony replete with dancers with long drums.

 

Flights on B757s and B767s carrying 238 and 336 passengers respectively will be arriving from eleven destinations in Russia from now until March.

 

Aphichart said this was a great thing for Thai tourism and the economy - Russians were most welcome being tourists who have always made up the numbers in Thailand.

 

And it showed that Thailand was still at the "top of mind" for tourists - this seemed to mean that the country is a popular destination. 

 

INN said that everyone was welcome to come to Thailand. They didn't mention the war in Ukraine at all.

 

The tourist police would employ the latest tech to make sure the visitors were safe and sound.

 

"If they have difficulties they can call 1155 anytime", said the top cop. "We can speak Russian".

 

The media further reported that in 2022 so far more than 9.1 million tourist visits had been made to Chonburi. Most were Thais, 375,653 were foreigners. 

 

Coffers had been swelled to the tune of 55 billion baht as a result.

 

The charter flights showed that Russians were still coming to Pattaya.

 

And they were most welcome. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-11-28

 

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I wonder what the immigration checks are on these "Russian tourists " arriving here in Thailand ?   Are they allowing military persons,  persons blacklisted by western countries , Oligarchs  etc in under the cover of being "tourists" ??

I would certainly hope Thailand at least has the decency and morals to vet and refuse any who are " unwelcome " !!!!

said the top cop. "We can speak Russian".

 

That's interesting because they cannot speak English

If money comes, the red stains matters not,

For the key to Thailand is that rubles we got.

Been sneaking in all along , so many new faces in Prantamak for months 

1 hour ago, Jen65 said:

I wonder what the immigration checks are on these "Russian tourists " arriving here in Thailand ?   Are they allowing military persons,  persons blacklisted by western countries , Oligarchs  etc in under the cover of being "tourists" ??

I would certainly hope Thailand at least has the decency and morals to vet and refuse any who are " unwelcome " !!!!

As long as they have money Thailand don't give a <deleted> if they are from Putins Russia.

I can hardly wait til they re  in 7/11 ‘s ignoring  the Queues , oh wait it’s already started lol, Prantamak Invasion has begun 

11 different destinations with 280 a time, I wonder how frequent the flight schedule is ?

Many overstays in the near future, if they go back they can be mobilised in the war with Ukraine.

Kick ALL Russians out and don't let them enter Thailand!!! They are the only ones that can get rid of Putin, war criminal No 1 (of this moment).
Principles are more important than money (in some places, at least.....)
Allow them back in ONLY when Putin is gone!

"Flights on B757s and B767s carrying 238 and 336 passengers respectively will be arriving from eleven destinations in Russia from now until March."

 

and will they be reporting on the load factor for the return flights from Thailand to Russia? or are the aircraft staying here as well??

 

Can't wait till a few plane loads of Ukrainians arrive or send down some of the sex trade gangs from Nana. That will be great entertainment !

34 minutes ago, bangon04 said:

"Flights on B757s and B767s carrying 238 and 336 passengers respectively will be arriving from eleven destinations in Russia from now until March."

 

and will they be reporting on the load factor for the return flights from Thailand to Russia? or are the aircraft staying here as well??

 

Its a brave or desperate Russian that flies on an Aircraft out of Russia today.

With all the Sanctions, there will be a severe lack of spare parts, maintenance and Computer Navigation Etc on the Aircraft

Maybe they are flying old School with a Compass and a prayer.

As long as they get to Thailand, and keep their " Business Earnings "  coming in,  they wont bother about a return flight of any sort.

Russia being one of the few countries in the world that issue Thai's with visa on arrival, it is no wonder that Thailand feels some allegiance to them. Not many other countries trust the "Thai Tourist" not to become a grey ghosts.

 

As the Ukraine versus Russia.....let us hope that for Ukraines sake that peace and sovereignty for Ukraine are restored quickly. 

 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Cake Monster said:

Its a brave or desperate Russian that flies on an Aircraft out of Russia today.

With all the Sanctions, there will be a severe lack of spare parts, maintenance and Computer Navigation Etc on the Aircraft

Maybe they are flying old School with a Compass and a prayer.

As long as they get to Thailand, and keep their " Business Earnings "  coming in,  they wont bother about a return flight of any sort.

the russian planes can be parked up at U-Tapao - the apron at Suvarnabhumi is already full of THAI planes awaiting their safety inspections......

1 minute ago, Aussieroaming said:

Russia being one of the few countries in the world that issue Thai's with visa on arrival, it is no wonder that Thailand feels some allegiance to them. Not many other countries trust the "Thai Tourist" not to become a grey ghosts.

 

It would be interesting to see the statistics for new Thai restaurants and massage parlors opening in Russia since 2005

I am happy to see the Russians arriving if only because it makes the Thais happy.  Don't like seeing businesses struggling.

 

That said, the west is going to crack down on this, I can guarantee it.  Found to be facilitating flights into and out of Russia using Boeings or Airbuses?  Expect to see spare parts purchases become impossible and soon.  Thais and Russians should plan accordingly.

2 hours ago, bangon04 said:

"Flights on B757s and B767s carrying 238 and 336 passengers respectively will be arriving from eleven destinations in Russia from now until March."

 

and will they be reporting on the load factor for the return flights from Thailand to Russia? or are the aircraft staying here as well??

 

It would be interesting to know what technical state those planes are in and who they belong to. Most of the Russian fleets are grounded. Likely to be impounded if they fly to most countries. Spare parts are sanctioned and unavailable. You wouldn't get my bum on a Russian carrier's seat for now. Wonder who's signing off on the tech logs on the turnarounds? Who's handling them? Thai Airways 555? Likely to be frowned on by the EU and US amongst many others.