‘Not Thailand anymore’: Russians are flocking to this resort island — but not all is well in paradise

[webfact]

 

Phuket expects to welcome a million Russians this year. Some are dodging the draft, others buying property as a ticket to a new life.

By Katharine Lake Berz

Special to the Star

PHUKET, Thailand—It is no wonder that Russians facing travel restrictions to most of the rest of the world are flocking to Thailand. With its fine white sands, stunning landscapes and rich culture, “the land of a thousand smiles” has much to offer paradise seekers, never mind those fleeing a tightening autocracy, economic downturn and war.

 

The Thai island of Phuket expects to welcome one million Russians this year — the biggest group of foreign visitors by far — according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Some are escaping the dim of winter. Some are dodging the draft. Others are buying local property as a ticket to a new life.

 

But the influx of Russians, since the Thai foreign minister visited Moscow and direct flights resumed in October, is a conundrum for Phuket, which depends on tourism for 90 per cent of its economy and is still struggling to recover after the deadly 2004 tsunami and COVID-19 travel bans. Although many Russian visitors are just terrified young men, there are tensions simmering between visiting Russians and other residents.

 

Full story: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2023/05/21/not-thailand-anymore-russians-are-flocking-to-this-resort-island-but-not-all-is-well-in-paradise.html

 

- © Copyright TORONTO STAR 2023-05-22

 

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[Celsius]

Article by Toronto Star, not the usual tripe from other well known "jurnalistic" establishments.

[Will B Good]

Isaan is looking more and more attractive everyday.

[quake]

Keep them there.

Think they should introduce free visa extensions at Phuket immigration. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

Russians are flocking to this resort island 

I don't mind the Russians, they keep to themselves, most don't bother others and you rarely hear them moaning and complaining like some. 

 

We've got a few moaners and complainers here. 

[anchadian]

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't mind the Russians, they keep to themselves, most don't bother others and you rarely hear them moaning and complaining like some. 

 

We've got a few moaners and complainers here, they know who I'm talking about. 

Until visas, extensions and overstay problems set in.

[Smokey and the Bandit]

4 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Until visas, extensions and overstay problems set in.

Quite so, if the young men are dodging the draft, how are they staying long term in Thailand?

Not just young men, many have families?

I bet the agents are real happy.

[mikeymike100]

6 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Quite so, if the young men are dodging the draft, how are they staying long term in Thailand?

Not just young men, many have families?

I bet the agents are real happy.

Indeed, many are 'purchasing' ED visas?

[KhunBENQ]

27 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Isaan is looking more and more attractive everyday.

More than a 1000 km as the crow flies.

Enough for now.

What a fun it was to travel there during Covid for Christmas 2021.

But even then I had a feeling it might be the last visit for long.

[Pink Mist]

An off topic post and replies have been removed.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, KhunBENQ said:

More than a 1000 km as the crow flies.

Enough for now.

What a fun it was to travel there during Covid for Christmas 2021.

But even then I had a feeling it might be the last visit for long.

Mmmmm.....not sure I am going to tough it out much longer......BKK beckons. 

[Hamus Yaigh]

36 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't mind the Russians, they keep to themselves, most don't bother others and you rarely hear them moaning and complaining like some. 

You don't hear them moaning like the Ukrainians eh?

 

Perhaps all the money they spend in Phuket can be redirected out of Thailand to damage costs they have inflicted on their neighbor and they might be more welcome.

[KhunLA]

I never considered Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala a destination for Thais.

 

Thais are smarter than that ????

[NanLaew]

41 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Isaan is looking more and more attractive everyday.

No, no, no! It's truly awful. Believe me. People really, really need to stay well away from Isaan.

[NanLaew]

38 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't mind the Russians, they keep to themselves, most don't bother others and you rarely hear them moaning and complaining like some. 

 

We've got a few moaners and complainers here. 

Only a few?

[Will B Good]

Just now, NanLaew said:

No, no, no! It's truly awful. Believe me. People really, really need to stay well away from Isaan.

Ha...is this reverse psychology? 

[isaanistical]

49 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Article by Toronto Star, not the usual tripe from other well known "jurnalistic" establishments.

ah yes, the internationally renowned go-to for Asian affairs.

 

Kid reporter on vacation or fam-trip more likely.

[JoseThailand]

34 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Quite so, if the young men are dodging the draft, how are they staying long term in Thailand?

Border runs. Dozens of minivans going to the Malaysian border and back every day.

[JoseThailand]

36 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

I bet the agents are real happy.

Border run companies are really happy

[bob smith]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“the land of a thousand smiles” has much to offer paradise seekers, never mind those fleeing a tightening autocracy, economic downturn and war.

a war which Russia started.

 

To be clear.

[nickmondo]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

I went to Phuket last month. I thought i had got on the wrong plane and ended up in Moscow by mistake. I would never go back while it is filled with disgusting Russians.

i totally agree!  I did not go to Phuket, but Jomtien........I thought exactly the same.  I wont go back.

[bob smith]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

I would never go back while it is filled with disgusting Russians.

they are indeed disgusting.

 

i could a lot more about them here but I'll probably get banned.

[Walker88]

18 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

ah yes, the internationally renowned go-to for Asian affairs.

 

Kid reporter on vacation or fam-trip more likely.

It's a well-written article, and I don't believe the female writer is a kid.

 

Perhaps you should open the LINK and read it.

[ezzra]

I would fly in couple plane's loads of Ukrainians hooligan for free and let the fun begin.

[JoseThailand]

27 minutes ago, bogs smith said:

a war which Russia started.

Not Russia but Putin, to be clear

[SAFETY FIRST]

43 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I don't mind the Russians, they keep to themselves, most don't bother others and you rarely hear them moaning and complaining like some. 

You don't hear them moaning like the Ukrainians eh?

I can't tell the difference. 

 

[owl sees all]

48 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

No, no, no! It's truly awful. Believe me. People really, really need to stay well away from Isaan.

Why?

 

I live in Isaan; and I love it. Don't think there is a better place to live in the world.

[Celsius]

Just now, owl sees all said:

Why?

 

I live in Isaan; and I love it. Don't think there is a better place to live in the world.

 

A lot of people say the same about Dubai

[KhunLA]

38 minutes ago, bogs smith said:

they are indeed disgusting.

 

i could a lot more about them here but I'll probably get banned.

Nah ... bad mouthing TH, RU, USA & CH is never reported.  As long as not mentioning UK, nobody will report you.

[Will B Good]

That has to be four very wealthy, well heeled Indians enjoying the sunset?

 

The Russians would be sat next to their flag.