in the Washington Post.

 

As these not tourist Russian war refugees / draft dodgers / whatever you want to call them are living among us it's interesting to learn about this phenom in a larger international context.

 

The article suggests that different countries where Russians can go to tend to attract different demographics of Russians.

 

News from Russua yesterday is that men returning after being abroad for three months or more are now subject to interrogations, searches of devices, possible incarceration or mobilization.

 

I read today a youtube comment asserting that Russians afraid to go home can apply for safety extensions at immigration. I am skeptical about that. Is it really true?

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/13/russia-diaspora-war-ukraine/

 

Russians abandon wartime Russia in historic exodus

 

YEREVAN, Armenia — As Russian troops stormed into Ukraine last February, sending millions of Ukrainians fleeing for their lives, thousands of Russians also raced to pack their bags and leave home, fearing the Kremlin would shut the borders and impose martial law.

Indonesian authorities are helping many Russians and Ukranians to stay in Bali. They are working there as digital nomads with online work. Others will come to support with schools, restaurants, property needs and anything to make a home from home. Indonesia is helping with visa extensions.

If Thailand cannot or will not help them, other countries nearby will. 

1 hour ago, champers said:

Indonesian authorities are helping many Russians and Ukranians to stay in Bali. They are working there as digital nomads with online work. Others will come to support with schools, restaurants, property needs and anything to make a home from home. Indonesia is helping with visa extensions.

If Thailand cannot or will not help them, other countries nearby will. 

Yes, well the Elite card is popular among Russians that can afford it. 

I imagine there are other angles to stay longer.

I know many are bopping around Asia which means they will probably come back to Thailand as part of the bop. 

Russia has changed in a very dark way probably for at least a generation, maybe longer.

For so many of these refugees, leaving Russia is not going to be a temporary thing if they can help it. They are going to seek more permanent bases. Obviously in Thailand not so much but Thailand could be a temporary stepping stone. 

I don't know the current rules on ED visas. Can Russians use them long term?

Remember we had Covid extensions that people were staying here for years on.

That's over but is it possible something is happening at immigration to do something like that for Russians fleeing the war? 

8 hours ago, Jingthing said:

men returning after being abroad for three months or more are now subject to interrogations, searches of devices, possible incarceration or mobilization.

Even greater reason, as if one was needed, to stay in Thailand. 

 

 

OR ... simply holidaying at ... but what kind of headline would that be????

13 hours ago, champers said:

Indonesian authorities are helping many Russians and Ukranians to stay in Bali. They are working there as digital nomads with online work. Others will come to support with schools, restaurants, property needs and anything to make a home from home. Indonesia is helping with visa extensions.

If Thailand cannot or will not help them, other countries nearby will. 

Thailand will do nothing to assist them unless there is a financial incentive.

5 minutes ago, joecoolfrog said:

Thailand will do nothing to assist them unless there is a financial incentive.

Visas and visa extensions aren't free.

There might be a million such Russians globally. Many of the men have brought their entire families with them or love partners.

Back in Russia they are portrayed as villianous traitors  

As stated before the men are now subject to serious problems if they return. 

There are proposals to seize their Russian assets to fund the war such as real estate. Also to ban Russian companies from employing them remotely.

It won't happen overnight but I think more and more countries will treat them more as asylum candidates 

Obviously not as popular to help as Ukrainian refugees.

Will Thailand offer a special.visa extension operation for these Russians.

Very doubtful but it wouldn't shock.me if some leniency. Is shown.

40 minutes ago, champers said:

Visas and visa extensions aren't free.

And indonesia are free? How did you know they help many russian and ukranian? From other person stories or you watched by yourself?

Just now, MrAscii said:

And indonesia are free? How did you know they help many russian and ukranian? From other person stories or you watched by yourself?

There was a big feature in the Bangkok Post the Sunday before last.

I imagine visas have to be paid for in Indonesia, just like anywhere else. The point I was making is that they were enabling the Russians and Ukranians to stay.

1 minute ago, champers said:

There was a big feature in the Bangkok Post the Sunday before last.

I imagine visas have to be paid for in Indonesia, just like anywhere else. The point I was making is that they were enabling the Russians and Ukranians to stay.

There are very few Ukrainians in Thailand now.

Refugees are welcomed in Europe. 

Men are mostly fighting their defensive war back home in some way.

Not many others in the mood or affording a vacation. 

1 minute ago, champers said:

There was a big feature in the Bangkok Post the Sunday before last.

I imagine visas have to be paid for in Indonesia, just like anywhere else. The point I was making is that they were enabling the Russians and Ukranians to stay.

I'm Indonesian and I doubt they threat foreigners better than Thailand.  I dont want to explain from my opinion because I know most of Indonesian are overproud and can never accept if someone compare it with other country.

But trust me, number of tourists per year for years since 1980 compared between Indonesia and Thailand said it all.

1 hour ago, joecoolfrog said:

Thailand will do nothing to assist them unless there is a financial incentive.

 

16 minutes ago, champers said:

There was a big feature in the Bangkok Post the Sunday before last.

I imagine visas have to be paid for in Indonesia, just like anywhere else. The point I was making is that they were enabling the Russians and Ukranians to stay.

Actually Thailand is granting & extending visa ... free of charge ... to Russians stranded here.

 

Google is your friend and Thai Imm has been assisting them since March 2022.

 

Many are now able to access their funds via "Russia's Pochta Bank was now offering a virtual card using China's UnionPay system instead of Visa or Mastercard"

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013154

Another factor for neutral on the war countries like Thailand is that the fascist Putin regime wouldn't appreciate their "traitors" being formally given special consideration. 

11 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Actually Thailand is granting & extending visa ... free of charge ... to Russians stranded here.

 

Google is your friend and Thai Imm has been assisting the since March 2022.

 

Many are now able to access their funds via "Russia's Pochta Bank was now offering a virtual card using China's UnionPay system instead of Visa or Mastercard"

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013154

I googled and those offered free visa extensions were the stranded Ukrainian and Russian tourists that found it hard to get back when the war broke out. There is no indication it has been an ongoing process.

One thing I've noticed about the Russians who were in the same visa exit trip to Laos with me, they are nicer and friendlier. I did numbers of visa exit to Laos years ago and the Russians were always talked about by other foreigners for being rude and snob. That trip, they were even engaging with others and I've talked to some, who seem chilled and all.

14 hours ago, champers said:

Indonesian authorities are helping many Russians and Ukranians to stay in Bali. They are working there as digital nomads with online work. Others will come to support with schools, restaurants, property needs and anything to make a home from home. Indonesia is helping with visa extensions.

If Thailand cannot or will not help them, other countries nearby will. 

They don't deserve genuine refugee status and I doubt many countries will entertain the idea without financial incentive. Russians were very unpopular with the Thai people prior to the war. The war just made it much worse. Places like Phuket are already seeing sky high prices for many things thanks to the horde of draft dodgers and economic refugees. The Russians already here set up their own little enclaves with other Russians, everyone else is ignored. Thailand doesn't need a Russian black economy or vast numbers of illegal migrants.

 

I hope Putin "incentivises" them to return to their motherland:)

15 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

I googled and those offered free visa extensions were the stranded Ukrainian and Russian tourists that found it hard to get back when the war broke out. There is no indication it has been an ongoing process.

Makes sense but on the other hand if it becomes more known that returning Russians are being persecuted perhaps that might change.

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, well the Elite card is popular among Russians that can afford it. 

I imagine there are other angles to stay longer.

I know many are bopping around Asia which means they will probably come back to Thailand as part of the bop. 

Russia has changed in a very dark way probably for at least a generation, maybe longer.

For so many of these refugees, leaving Russia is not going to be a temporary thing if they can help it. They are going to seek more permanent bases. Obviously in Thailand not so much but Thailand could be a temporary stepping stone. 

I don't know the current rules on ED visas. Can Russians use them long term?

Remember we had Covid extensions that people were staying here for years on.

That's over but is it possible something is happening at immigration to do something like that for Russians fleeing the war? 

These Russians are not refugees as defined in the article. Not that it would matter in Thailand that does not recognize refugee status in general. To stay in Thailand they must meet visa requirements as specified by law.

Thailand does have many visa types and extensions ranging from exempt visa, 30-60 day visas/visas with annual extensions to a 10 year visa. 

But, should Russian men who have left Russia for reasons other than legitimate vacation (article specifies they are not tourists) are qualified for conscription ( ie., can breathe), Putin might declare their flight from Russia as a criminal act and request Thailand to deport them back to Russia. Thailand government will be very "sensitive " to such a request.

5 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

These Russians are not refugees as defined in the article. Not that it would matter in Thailand that does not recognize refugee status in general. To stay in Thailand they must meet visa requirements as specified by law.

Thailand does have many visa types and extensions ranging from exempt visa, 30-60 day visas/visas with annual extensions to a 10 year visa. 

But, should Russian men who have left Russia for reasons other than legitimate vacation (article specifies they are not tourists) are qualified for conscription ( ie., can breathe), Putin might declare their flight from Russia as a criminal act and request Thailand to deport them back to Russia. Thailand government will be very "sensitive " to such a request.

Nobody is saying they are refugees in the classic sense but in a more abstract way at least some kind of are.

Nobody is saying they will be given formal asylum as refugees in Thailand. 

In some other countries like Canada yes they might have a chance.

No way will Russia try to have them extraadicted from neutral countries.

I think some of them will try to stay in Thailand as long as possible (maybe overstay). Some will need to fund their stay here by earning money in Thailand. Recently I read a report that Russians use rental cars and work as taxi drivers in Phuket. I think other (Russian) companies and people might "help" such stranded people so that they can continue staying here illegally.

 

A lot to do for the Smart Cars of the immigration... 

41 minutes ago, IndomitableSpirit said:

Russians were always talked about by other foreigners for being rude and snob

Wonder where they learned those things ...  same place as:

... all blacks are criminals

... all Muslims are terrorist

... all police are corrupt 

 

MSM will do that ... sort of like the 'Yedi mind trick' though thankfully only work on the weak minded.

17 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Wonder where they learned those things ...  same place as:

... all blacks are criminals

... all Muslims are terrorist

... all police are corrupt 

 

MSM will do that ... sort of like the 'Yedi mind trick' though thankfully only work on the weak minded.

It's pretty much from their own experiences or encounters from Russians. I'm usually friendly to all, so I never encountered any Russians directly being rude/snob to me. But from all my visa exit experience, the Russians were the ones being racist, rude, and aggressive to others. 

Plenty of Russians here with there families on extended stays at the moment nice and safe in tropical paradise.

 

Nice people the Thais. Common sense approach to life.

 

28 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Wonder where they learned those things ...  same place as:

... all blacks are criminals

... all Muslims are terrorist

... all police are corrupt 

 

MSM will do that ... sort of like the 'Yedi mind trick' though thankfully only work on the weak minded.

Blacks -  Africans are a demographic with persistent criminal activity in SEA. They are often caught out in Romance scams and drug dealing. On the lower end they are frequent overstayers.

Muslims - Perhaps if a minority stopped blowing people up this perception would change. There are plenty of areas in Europe that are now Islamic slums and no go areas for police. I guess a "refugee" visa and a pension is not enough for some.

Police - I guess you don't live in SEA if you think police corruption is not a major problem.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

There might be a million such Russians globally. Many of the men have brought their entire families with them or love partners.

Back in Russia they are portrayed as villianous traitors  

As stated before the men are now subject to serious problems if they return. 

There are proposals to seize their Russian assets to fund the war such as real estate. Also to ban Russian companies from employing them remotely.

It won't happen overnight but I think more and more countries will treat them more as asylum candidates 

Obviously not as popular to help as Ukrainian refugees.

Will Thailand offer a special.visa extension operation for these Russians.

Very doubtful but it wouldn't shock.me if some leniency. Is shown.

They are, from Russian point of view, off course traitors.

1 hour ago, RamblingOn said:

They are, from Russian point of view, off course traitors.

From the Putin pov.

4 hours ago, IndomitableSpirit said:

One thing I've noticed about the Russians who were in the same visa exit trip to Laos with me, they are nicer and friendlier. I did numbers of visa exit to Laos years ago and the Russians were always talked about by other foreigners for being rude and snob. That trip, they were even engaging with others and I've talked to some, who seem chilled and all.

Funny you should mention that, even in Pattaya they do seem to be a lot friendlier these days, I was thinking the same

Off topic troll post and reply removed

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Wonder where they learned those things ...  same place as:

... all blacks are criminals

... all Muslims are terrorist

... all police are corrupt 

 

MSM will do that ... sort of like the 'Yedi mind trick' though thankfully only work on the weak minded.

It doesn’t have to be ALL for such accusations to be valid. The reality is that criminality or terrorist activity of a disproportionately high representative %age does indeed apply to certain cultures. 
The majority of snakes aren’t venomous,but did you wonder why most people treat any snake with caution? Or do you think they’re too being 'weak minded' as a result of MSM ?