This will age well.

Isn't it Russian Christmas this weekend? 

I don't feel envious of anyone from Russia, cheap air fares or not.

1 hour ago, champers said:

Isn't it Russian Christmas this weekend? 

Yes just over and ceasefire "officially" cancelled.

 

Would really like to know what the Russians pay for airfare and/or package tour.

Mates from Germany are kept away by high airfares and chaos on airports.

Central Festival Mall was packed with Russians last night.

Seems the sanctions are working well lol  Unfortunately it's the Europeans who are suffering thanks to the US.

9 minutes ago, fasteddie said:

Seems the sanctions are working well lol  Unfortunately it's the Europeans who are suffering thanks to the US.

They kind of are if you think about it. Russians are repatriating their money which is disastrous for the local Russian economy. Capital flight.

9 minutes ago, fasteddie said:

Seems the sanctions are working well lol  Unfortunately it's the Europeans who are suffering thanks to the US.

The Morgenthau plan came through after all. Companies are closing in Germany and opening in USA, or elsewhere. Graduates are leaving Germany and moving to places with better opportunities.

I think Dan wants to leave. He's just building a case for it. When he first arrived all his flatulance on Thailand was fragrant. Now every puff is about something bad smelling here. 

25 minutes ago, Denim said:

I think Dan wants to leave. He's just building a case for it. When he first arrived all his flatulance on Thailand was fragrant. Now every puff is about something bad smelling here. 

Can't blame him. Thailand kinda starts to suck after a few years. We all know that.

1 minute ago, Bassosa said:

Can't blame him. Thailand kinda starts to suck after a few years. We all know that.

Speak for yourself, not for me and not for any of my farang friends in Thailand.

2 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Speak for yourself, not for me and not for any of my farang friends in Thailand.

They're all in denial and trying to justify their life choices. We all know that.

On a serious note. Must be Thailand's biggest taboo. That it kind of sucks to live here. Great for a holiday but to live? Huge pain in the butt. 

There are of course exceptions. Usually people that have problems fitting in back home, ie criminals and antisocials. They love it here and will always do because of the non-confrontational nature of Thai society. It's a safe haven for sh*theads of sorts.

Just now, Bassosa said:

They're all in denial and trying to justify their life choices. We all know that.

They aren't the ones in denial.

44 minutes ago, Bassosa said:

They're all in denial and trying to justify their life choices. We all know that.

On a serious note. Must be Thailand's biggest taboo. That it kind of sucks to live here. Great for a holiday but to live? Huge pain in the butt. 

There are of course exceptions. Usually people that have problems fitting in back home, ie criminals and antisocials. They love it here and will always do because of the non-confrontational nature of Thai society. It's a safe haven for sh*theads of sorts.

That's an odd post.

 

There are folks here who really do enjoy Thailand, even after a prolonged period.

 

Personally, I've had the opportunity to live in many nations, and Thailand has been home for a while, and where I now own a business. As with any land and culture, Thailand has points both good and bad. Experienced expats know how to endure the negatives and relish the positives. Granted Thailand isn't for everyone, but it is exactly the right place for some. It seems that right now it is the right place for many Russians.

 

As for 'going back home', life is too short. Too many lands to experience and enjoy. I 'did' my home country. Nice place to visit, but 'been there, done that'. I like that spice that is variety.

about a month ago, I went shopping in Foodmart in Jomtien. Every customer was from Russia. At least they spoke Russian.

Not only Ukraine, now they're invading Pattaya!

2 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

Not only Ukraine, now they're invading Pattaya!

As long as they aren't shellling the place I see no issue. No sanctions in Thailand, BTW.

11 hours ago, Bassosa said:

They kind of are if you think about it. Russians are repatriating their money which is disastrous for the local Russian economy. Capital flight.

How much is coming in from energy supplying though....probably makes the limited spendings of a tourist quite trivial.

It appears that we "ain't seen nuthin' yet". Previously they left out the big cities for fear of upsetting the wealthy. Now maybe they are getting desperate. Russians will be flocking to Thailand in much larger numbers I suspect.

 

Ukrainian intelligence officials are warning that the Kremlin plans a new mobilization wave for up to 500,000 men to fight in Ukraine starting in mid-January.

The new conscription drive, which would be larger than last autumn’s Russian draft of 300,000, would include a push in big cities, including some strategic industrial centers in Russia, Andriy Cherniak, an official with the Main Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, told POLITICO on Saturday.  

 

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-mobilize-new-conscript-military-intelligence-war-ukraine/

 

 

On 1/8/2023 at 9:00 PM, Bassosa said:

It's a safe haven for sh*theads of sorts.

are you here ? 

I was just in Pattaya for 3 nights. The Bangkok-Pattaya bus had clusters of Chinese independent travellers and a handful of Russians. At the Big C Extra mall on Klang, a dominant language was Russian, with entire families thoroughly enjoying their freedom.

 

The Ekkamai bus station was packed and buses running late. The 10 am run didn't leave until about 10:45 last Thursday. The 11 am left 20 minutes late.

 

Have to say, the Big C was fully stocked and very busy mid-afternoon last week. I'd lived in Pattaya for quite a few years before and the Klang Big C is still the best one I have ever shopped in, and I'm including the Bangkok ones where I currently live. The attached HomePro was equally well stocked and I found things I could not find in BKK. 

 

So yeah, Pattaya offers more than just shoulder to shoulder bars.

15 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

At the Big C Extra mall on Klang, a dominant language was Russian, with entire families thoroughly enjoying their freedom.

Huh? TAT: ANF says that Russians only shop at 7/11.

 

15 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

So yeah, Pattaya offers more than just shoulder to shoulder bars.

YES!!!

On 1/8/2023 at 8:29 PM, Denim said:

I think Dan wants to leave. He's just building a case for it. When he first arrived all his flatulance on Thailand was fragrant. Now every puff is about something bad smelling here. 

Think based on what? Was there something negative in his video blog?

On 1/8/2023 at 3:10 PM, JoseThailand said:

Not only Ukraine, now they're invading Pattaya!

No worries, Pattaya hasn't been slaughtering the people of the Donbass since 2014.

11 hours ago, fasteddie said:

No worries, Pattaya hasn't been slaughtering the people of the Donbass since 2014.

And I doubt the Russians can create a famine that kills 4 million here in Pattaya!

Last week Pattaya's Central Festival mall was just Russians but today there are large numbers fo Chinese as well. The Chinese mostly wear masks, most others not so much these days.  Also a lot of Indians and people from the Middle East. Farang tourists seem to be a vanishing species now. It seems Russia and its allies have all the disposable cash for shopping.

On 1/8/2023 at 1:58 PM, ozimoron said:

Speak for yourself, not for me and not for any of my farang friends in Thailand.

 

How many here are so heavily invested financially, and emotionally, that they need to tell themselves, and their friends, that they are happy here?

 

i have had a few people tell me they envy my situation of having nothing I can't sell, donate, or throw away, within 24 hours, and head to the airport. 

 

There's quite a few people that have imprisoned themselves in Pattaya / Thailand. 

1 minute ago, Leaver said:

 

How many here are so heavily invested financially, and emotionally, that they need to tell themselves, and their friends, that they are happy here?

 

i have had a few people tell me they envy my situation of having nothing I can't sell, donate, or throw away, within 24 hours, and head to the airport. 

 

There's quite a few people that have imprisoned themselves in Pattaya / Thailand. 

They don't include me. I rent my accommodation and don't have kids or a girlfriend here. In fact, I could stay for free in a luxury apartment in Angeles City but I still choose to stay here in Pattaya.

1 minute ago, ozimoron said:

They don't include me. I rent my accommodation and don't have kids or a girlfriend here. In fact, I could stay for free in a luxury apartment in Angeles City but I still choose to stay here in Pattaya.

Really..................

6 minutes ago, transam said:

Really..................

Yes, really. My mate just imported over $50K of furniture from David Jones in Australia (lux dept store) to a 2 bedroom apartment in AC. He's been begging me to go stay with him. I shared an apartment with him in the same building for several years previously. He also owns a new vehicle which I can drive around. Previously he owned a v12 BMW 750i which I frequently drove there.

 

However, I prefer Pattaya to live in these days. I speak Thai (as well as Tagalog) and prefer the food here.