‘Russian-only’ businesses in Thailand’s Phuket spark backlash

[MurakamiX]

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

It's like little Moscow down in Rawai 

Vodka, chess, depressing concrete architecture, and people falling out of windows in suspicious circumstances? 

[mikeymike100]

"More than 400,000 Russians arrived on the Thai tourist island between January and July this year, according to authorities"

 

So will this make TAT happy? Obviously the locals are not happy?

When you pray for rain, you have to deal with the mud too!

[Charlest1971]

54 minutes ago, eggzthaioz said:

Yeah, just ask the USA how they feel about being a global trouble maker.

The USA doesn’t tend to invade other countries, unless terrorists fly aeroplanes into its buildings. It has all the natural resources and entrepreneurial spirit that it needs. The USA spreads its influence through democratic means. Countries wish to do business with the USA, which is why it’s influence has spread far & wide. 
In Vietnam & Afghanistan, it has been trying to stop the spread of communism. I doubt it will intervene directly, ever again. 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, bobbin said:

That, and the fact that Russians are not welcome as tourists in most of the world..

What "fact" is that?  Obviously, it is not a fact, there are only six countries that have banned Russian visitors.  Three others have issued bans only to Russians on tourist visas.

[Charlest1971]

8 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Things are getting confusing.

"Not enough tourists, economic growth slow." "Too many Russians* spending money."

"Sex workers for Russians only." "We don't have sex workers in Thailand."

"Russians cause prices to rise." "Chinese don't?"

"Russians taking Thai jobs." "How many Thais speak Russian?"

Either Thailand wants tourists or doesn't. Inevitably, there will be tourists who do something illegal, so arrest and deport them.

*Substitute for Ukrainians to taste.

The definition of a tourist is someone who goes on holiday for a short period and not someone who sets up a business and buys a house. I think you need to look up the definition of tourism?

[Chongalulu]

58 minutes ago, Scottie12 said:

You couldn't be more wrong Dimitry,Phuket is a very expensive destination these days.

Compared to tourist destinations in Europe,USA etc.. ?  Certainly not , I was in the West Country (Cornwall) U.K. a week ago. WAY more expensive than Phuket. £2 can of Coke, £6 ice cream , £45 for fish and chips takeaway for 3 people. If your comparison is with rural thailand then that’s a misguided comparison.

[Liverpool Lou]

39 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

I thought Russians weren’t allowed to leave Russia ?

You thought wrong.

[Zapitapi]

1 hour ago, bobbin said:

That, and the fact that Russians are not welcome as tourists in most of the world..

 

Sucks to be a global troublemaker.

if u speak about most of the world.. russians are very welcome! 

[Bim Smith]

And there are too many french in Africa, too many Chinese in China town and the portions of food in the US could feed a family in Issan for a week. What's your point. Suck up them rubles. 

[Purdey]

3 minutes ago, Charlest1971 said:

The definition of a tourist is someone who goes on holiday for a short period and not someone who sets up a business and buys a house. I think you need to look up the definition of tourism?

Lots of people can afford to stay longer. Most dictionaries say simply Someone who visits a place for pleasure and interest, usually while on holiday. There is no definition that includes the amount of time spent. Don't make stuff up without evidence.

 

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/tourist

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourist

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tourist

[Liverpool Lou]

20 minutes ago, Jackbenimble said:

Thailand is also one of the few countries that issues VOA to Russians. Once here the TV can be switched to something more permanent. 

VOAs are not required by Russians entering Thailand, Russians can enter visa exempt and get a 30 day stamp.

[Operator2002]

16 minutes ago, Jackbenimble said:

Thailand is also one of the few countries that issues VOA to Russians. Once here the TV can be switched to something more permanent. 

No, you are wrong. From March 2007 Russian citizens get visa exempt entrance into Thailand (30 days). 

[spidermike007]

I have friends who know younger Russians. And they say they are kind, friendly and progressive. I have no idea what percentage of the population these younger people represent, nor how representative they are of the Russian population. Personally, I have met very few friendly Russians. Apparently being open, trusting or friendly is not part of their culture. 

 

I can only speak from my experience. Have run into alot of Russians both in the US, and on Phuket and Samui, 98% of them seem to be grumpy, unfriendly and gruff. Some of them are downright hostile. Likely a reflection of a very, very rough culture and environment. So, perhaps it is not a coincidence that the world is not standing up to support them and show them kindness? Nor welcoming them with open arms?

 

Just an observation. 

[Charlest1971]

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What "fact" is that?  Obviously, it is not a fact, there are only six countries that have banned Russian visitors.  Three others have issued bans only to Russians on tourist visas.

There is a difference between a ban and not being welcome.  Look at the countries that have sanctioned Russia and the 142 countries that voted against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in the recent UN Security resolution. Even China abstained, rather than voted with Russia. Only 6 countries, like Syria & Iran, voted with Russia. 
Russians are now generally not welcome, in other countries. Banning them, will require legal changes etc

Many people say that the Russian people have been brainwashed by the Kremlin, but I am sceptical about this. The kind of Russian people that can afford to relocate to Thailand, have money & knowledge. These people understand exactly what is going on, in Russia. They also understand that Putin invaded another sovereign nation. In a way, I don’t blame them for leaving, but wouldn’t it be better for them to try and bring change inside Russia. It only takes 3% of the population of any country to overthrow a regime, via peaceful protest, and a tenth of that, to overthrow a regime by violent means. 
Historically, the Russians are experts at revolution. Maybe it’s time for another one?

[Charlest1971]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I have friends who know younger Russians. And they say they are kind, friendly and progressive. I have no idea what percentage of the population these younger people represent, nor how representative they are of the Russian population. Personally, I have met very few friendly Russians. Apparently being open, trusting or friendly is not part of their culture. 

 

I can only speak from my experience. Have run into alot of Russians both in the US, and on Phuket and Samui, 98% of them seem to be grumpy, unfriendly and gruff. Some of them are downright hostile. Likely a reflection of a very, very rough culture and environment. So, perhaps it is not a coincidence that the world is not standing up to support them and show them kindness? Nor welcoming them with open arms?

 

Just an observation. 

It’s a decent observation ????

 

12 minutes ago, Zapitapi said:

if u speak about most of the world.. russians are very welcome! 

Thank you for that observation, Comrade Zapitapi ????

[Caldera]

What did they expect?

 

Most of those Russian refugees are draft dodgers, so they are quite unsurprisingly able-bodied and of working age. The vast majority aren't rich, so they need to work to survive.

 

Sure, there are also bona-fide Russian tourists who now come to Thailand in larger numbers because they're no longer welcome where they used to holiday before. But they still have many options and aren't the ones those locals complain about.

[Charlest1971]

25 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

"More than 400,000 Russians arrived on the Thai tourist island between January and July this year, according to authorities"

 

So will this make TAT happy? Obviously the locals are not happy?

When you pray for rain, you have to deal with the mud too!

Mud. This sounds like a landslide ????‍♀️

[Hakuna Matata]

Those Russians are not good.

They buy ED visas.

They are rich people. Mostly young people.

Send them all back to Russia.

Stop ED visa selling business!

 

 

[stix40]

Glad I don't live there !

Not keen on the ruskies

Loud and obnoxious ! 

[Father of Godfahter]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

There have also been reports of Russian sex workers operating along the nightlife epicentre of Bangla Road, mainly for Russian clientele.

 

 

And this one was my personal report. Yes, they keep operating, have checked it for several times already.

[Airwolf]

And arriving in unsafe, stolen, Western aircraft. (10 Billon $ worth)

Most developed countries don't allow aircraft with no safety logs in their airspace, let alone landing, for obvious reasons. 

At some point there'll be a major accident.

Do better Thailand. 

[Reigntax]

We know they like to take over tourist type islands off another country’s mainland

[khunpin]

"... working illegally." 

If it's illegal - arrest them, destroy their shops and ban them! 

As far as I remember it was Thailand itself to invite and welcome them because they were supposed to boost the economy. 

As long as Thai people could make a Baht out of them, they were regarded as a welcome victim. 

No, when they take over Thai jobs, it's time to complain. 

Get active and give a sh.... on the "good reputation"! 

[shackleton]

They only have themselves to blame 

The Thai authorities saw this as a money maker ???? encouraging Russians to come to Thailand buying up the villas Condos ect

promoting businesses investing in Companies could go on 

Money is the Key ????

[Operator2002]

1 hour ago, Dmitry2222 said:

Actually Phuket and Turkey are just one of the cheapest directions for holidays. No need looking a political reasons.

I don't think so. But it depends which part of Russia to get to Thailand from.

From Moscow you can get hot deal for return airtickets on charter flights to Turkey for 130 USD, but to Phuket it's 300 USD - on "pirates travel" website.

(regular flights two times more expensive but much more safe and reliable).

Simple accommodation rent in Thailand is cheaper than in Moscow, food prices are maybe the same.

But the main problem with Thailand as long stay destination is the huge visa expenses not affordable for most of ordinary Russians.

As for a short package tour Dubai /Turkey/Egypt are much more cheaper than Thailand if to travel from Moscow (for Siberian and Far East Russian cities yes - Hainan, Vietnam, Thailand are the the most cheap short beach holiday destinations).

Anyway I think as mobilization is looming more and more Russians who can afford it will be going abroad including to Thailand - the political factor cannot be written off.

[Thai-Aust]

I would say 'Too many foreigners/tourists in Phuket and everywhere else'.

 

[cjinchiangrai]

If they are legal, well the Thais let them in, too bad. If they are not legal, do something about it. 

 

[Lemsta69]

1 hour ago, Modern Coding said:

Ugh... wait... foreigner owning business here in Thailand: hair salons, taxi firms,... aren't they supposed to be restricted to the Thais only??

 

I thought only Thais would be allowed to run these sorts of business, so how could Russian get the permits to run Thai-only businesses??

And please don't come with the common brown envelop explanation: the Labor Department has become very strict with this!

 

Regarding people working illegally: in that case, the Russians would have gotten their visa and work permits removed by the authorities. I mean, every foreign business owner knows that you need to have at least 4 Thais registered per foreign owner or employee, declare them every month for the Social Security and so on, yearly audit, half-year financial statement and so on... everything getting stricter...

 

So if the Russians in Phuket are running business illegally, how come they have not been kicked out yet?? I must have missed something...

2/10

[Liverpool Lou]

41 minutes ago, Charlest1971 said:

56 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What "fact" is that?  Obviously, it is not a fact, there are only six countries that have banned Russian visitors.  Three others have issued bans only to Russians on tourist visas.

Expand  

There is a difference between a ban and not being welcome.

Thanks for that, I'd never have guessed.

Which countries have announced  officially that "Russian visitors are not welcome", then?

[JBChiangRai]

1 hour ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Allot of them are actually ukranians fleeing the draft etc..

 

Most ukranians speak russian, so allot of people confuse the two.

Actually the statistics on arrivals say that the ratio is about 50 to 1 in Russians to Ukrainians.