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

[StayinThailand2much]

Boo-hoo... We want many tourists, preferably 40 billion of them, and big money. But on second thought, we actually don't want too many pesky tourists...

 

Not to mention that most Thai 'residents' on Phuket('s west coast) are not locals, but come from other parts of Thailand, living on-and-off on Phuket.

[Dexxter]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Hideous back tattoo on the woman in the photo, what was she thinking?

I thought it was some seaweed stuck to her back.

[shackleton]

The Russian tourists are welcomed by Thailand 

Whether they are fleeing from Russia or what ever reason 

Phuket will welcome the business and money  ???? into their economy 

As long as they obey the Immigration rules  should be more than

welcome ???? 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"the land of a thousand smiles"

Yes, check's out. Nowadays you can get a thousand smiles from 100,000 Thais...

[mikeymike100]

5 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Fat, rude, obnoxious, entitled, chain smoking, beer and vodka swilling reprobates …. and then of course, there are their husbands ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Maybe you are being slightly unfair? Most of the Russian women I have seen are smokin hot!????

[1happykamper]

I left Jomtien Beach because of the Russian invasion there. 

[sammieuk1]

12 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

In what way are regular Russians complicit? The ones avoiding the draft, for example, are actively thwarting their government's war efforts. 

Those are the ones with money and are connected in all probability, lets see them burning Putin effigies and protesting against the war if they are not complicit I would say ????    

[JustAnotherHun]

2 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Those are the ones with money and are connected in all probability, lets see them burning Putin effigies and protesting against the war if they are not complicit I would say ????    

It's quite easy to be a brave protester behind the keyboard, isn't it?

[Chongalulu]

55 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

it took me much too long, for instance, not to get sarky when I would hold a door open for someone and they would sail past me without saying thank-you. But the problem was mine - it is not expected in Russian culture to thank someone for holding a door for them, so why would they do it?

We’re they equally ambivalent when you slammed it into their face… ?

[sammieuk1]

1 minute ago, JustAnotherHun said:

It's quite easy to be a brave protester behind the keyboard, isn't it?

But they have left the country and war behind haven't they ????

[Chongalulu]

12 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

I left Jomtien Beach because of the Russian invasion there. 

Couldn’t stand all the thongs….? ???? 

[JustAnotherHun]

1 minute ago, sammieuk1 said:

But they have left the country and war behind haven't they ????

That's exactly what I would do as a Russian.

[Red Forever]

4 hours ago, 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.

Shh!!!

[sammieuk1]

1 minute ago, JustAnotherHun said:

That's exactly what I would do as a Russian.

Agree but why aren't they protesting the hell out of it from their sunlounges because it cant be they don't know what's going on like the captive domestic population they have left behind ????  

[JBChiangRai]

Everyone assumes the war started in 2022.  It actually started before 2014, then it was a hybrid war with Russian forces without insignia fighting Ukraine in the Donbas under the guise of being Ukrainians but wanting to join Russia.

 

Minsk 1 in 2014 failed to stop the fighting.

 

Minsk 2 aimed to stop the fighting and included a crucial clause aimed at Russia, "To withdraw illegal armed groups and military equipment as well as fighters and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine".  Unsurprisingly, Russia said they had no personnel in Donbas.

 

Putin saying Ukraine or the West failing to adhere to Minsk 2 as an excuse to invade Ukraine openly, was a smoke screen.

[JustAnotherHun]

4 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Agree but why aren't they protesting the hell out of it from their sunlounges because it cant be they don't know what's going on like the captive domestic population they have left behind ????  

I'm sure they know what's going on. But if you still have family in Russia you should be very careful, I think.

[RoyP]

5 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Fat, rude, obnoxious, entitled, chain smoking, beer and vodka swilling reprobates …. and then of course, there are their husbands ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

????????

[Jorgendk]

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

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

Fine with me.... We dont want you to come anyway...
Isaan is fine as it is, without you.

[RoyP]

True

[Reigntax]

If they are all heading to Phuket maybe a good time to visit Russia !!

[10baht]

5 hours ago, quake said:

Keep them there.

Think they should introduce free visa extensions at Phuket immigration.

Same for the Chinese,

[Reigntax]

2 minutes ago, Jorgendk said:

Fine with me.... We dont want you to come anyway...
Isaan is fine as it is, without you.

I think you missed the sarcasm.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

40 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Maybe you are being slightly unfair? Most of the Russian women I have seen are smokin hot!????

Sense of humour bypass ??

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, Isaan sailor said:

It still does—stunning women, quiet lifestyle, lower cost of living.  And coastal areas only a few hours away.

You forgot to mention the cooler weather, I heard it got above 50 degrees for several days recently 

[mikeymike100]

You obviously have different humor than I do?????????

[whereyougo]

5 hours 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. 

HUH ? they are degusting arrogant pigs. I just spent 4 months in Jomtien in a Russian condo block and I wasnt aware there were a thousand of them. never ever again bye bye Jomtien !!

[mikeymike100]

5 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

 

I prefer men wear the boxer type suits ????   no borat style banana hammocks either

Fully agree about the men wearing shorts or boxer type, but hot women in thongs, wow!????

[1happykamper]

31 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

Couldn’t stand all the thongs….? ???? 

The male thongs ....absolutely not! 555

[Chongalulu]

48 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Isaan is looking more and more attractive everyday.

It still does—stunning women, quiet lifestyle, lower cost of living.  And coastal areas only a few hours away.

Quite a lot of hours away ,to be accurate- not exactly a day trip . And if wanting the more attractive Andaman coast getting on for 2 days drive. Hotter too… ???? 

[RuamRudy]

38 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

We’re they equally ambivalent when you slammed it into their face… ?

Honestly, they simply expect you to do as you please - either hold it or don't; they will look after themselves.