Phuket authorities dismiss concerns over rising Russian population and mafia claims

[BarraMarra]

6 minutes ago, chang1 said:

We never welcomed these economic migrants, we had no choice. France does all it can to enable them to get here. My town is full of them and they need sending to Rwanda.

The UK is finished it's to late Chang1. Now they refuse what we are offering and refuse to move out of the 4-5 star hotels they have been moved into. We can't even kick them out due to the do-gooders. It's already starting in Phuket same way we started welcoming immigrants.

[Srikcir]

11 minutes ago, chang1 said:

Generally, the useful ones will settle in western countries, the decent ones left will go to ex soviet countries and the dregs will end up in Thailand.

In some ways Thailand has become a safe haven for Russians as Argentina was in WW2 for German nazis. 

[jaideedave]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

The authorities to the people: We realize the Russians are not well liked and lack basic social skills. But, the Russians, Chinese, Indians, Malaysians and Arabs are all we have now. Very few Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians  are visiting now. The high airfares must be a deterrent. Are there other reasons? We don't know.

 

You don't have to like them. We work with what we got. Right? 

Very few Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians  are visiting now.

I'm a Canuck here and now but I'm thinking its got to do with the higher cost of living. Anyone who had a mortgage of 2-3 % and have to renew at 5-6 % is in for a shock along with the cost of everything else rising. On my 1st visit (1990) I never noticed many Indians, Chinese or Arabs.Now the demographic has changed dramatically.For the most part my drinking days are behind me so it really doesn't affect me.    

[paul1804]

It sounds like the Russian mafia are handing out brown envelopes in Phuket !!

[Frankie baby]

Its a terrible situation the young Russians are in. The fact is theirs not many options open for them. Put yourself in their shoes.

[spidermike007]

16 minutes ago, jaideedave said:

Very few Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians  are visiting now.

I'm a Canuck here and now but I'm thinking its got to do with the higher cost of living. Anyone who had a mortgage of 2-3 % and have to renew at 5-6 % is in for a shock along with the cost of everything else rising. On my 1st visit (1990) I never noticed many Indians, Chinese or Arabs.Now the demographic has changed dramatically.For the most part my drinking days are behind me so it really doesn't affect me.    

I was in Phuket recently. Seemed to be about 35% Russians (1% of them had social skills), 25% Chinese, 20% Indian and Malaysian, and the rest were mostly Arab. 

 

You may be right about Europe, the US and the rest. The cost of living has skyrocketed since covid. Many seem to be struggling. Plus airfares are so much higher. 

[ChipButty]

30 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

In some ways Thailand has become a safe haven for Russians as Argentina was in WW2 for German nazis. 

I met a Russian couple here in Phuket who were going to Argentina his wife was pregnant if the baby is born there will get a Argentinian passport and the parents,

[ChipButty]

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I was in Phuket recently. Seemed to be about 35% Russians (1% of them had social skills), 25% Chinese, 20% Indian and Malaysian, and the rest were mostly Arab. 

 

You may be right about Europe, the US and the rest. The cost of living has skyrocketed since covid. Many seem to be struggling. Plus airfares are so much higher. 

Go to Central in the evening you will see them all, 

[Shocked farang]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The authorities to the people: We realize the Russians are not well liked and lack basic social skills. But, the Russians, Chinese, Indians, Malaysians and Arabs are all we have now. Very few Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians  are visiting now. The high airfares must be a deterrent. Are there other reasons? We don't know.

 

You don't have to like them. We work with what we got. Right? 

One friend of mine defined the Russian performance in Thailand as, you go to an all you can eat buffet, the Russians attack the food, fill their plates to the top and leave nothing for the other customers. So true... 

[Drop the dead donkey]

Thailand is only to blame with this influx.

They have let the 1000’s into the country, let them buy property, let them set up businesses, let them all stay in the same place/area.

So this is a government issue, and must be sorted out by them also.

[Shocked farang]

47 minutes ago, Frankie baby said:

Its a terrible situation the young Russians are in. The fact is theirs not many options open for them. Put yourself in their shoes.

Time to get enrolled in a western/eastern social skills crash course! 

[pomchop]

So hundreds of thousands of Russians can apparently just stay indefinitely in Thailand no problem but let's hassle the crap out of a bunch of old retired guys who want to stay six months or longer and jump through hoop after hoop?

 

Surely there must be numerous Russian overstays but I don't recall reading any round up stories or did i miss that

[jvs]

4 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

Of course they will say this....they have no choice  and everyone knows who run that island now.

Yes it is like a teenage girl telling her mom she is just a little bit pregnant,

ignoring it does not make it go away.

You will have to deal with it at some point.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Looks like they are here to stay so get used to it,

Staying will be up to the Thai authorities and behavior living in Thailand.

[stoner]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

How would you feel stupidfarang if you decided to live in a nice area in Phuket and then within a few months many young Russians started arriving in your little piece of Heaven? Russian shops began opening and selling Russian food. strangers walking up and down your Soi some even living next to you.

i would say boo hoo. 

 

substitute you for a thai person and the russians for farangs.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Drop the dead donkey said:

Thailand is only to blame with this influx.

They have let the 1000’s into the country, let them buy property, let them set up businesses, let them all stay in the same place/area.

So this is a government issue, and must be sorted out by them also.

Ha! You are asking the government to actually solve problems and be pro-active? Quite amusing. 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Go to Central in the evening you will see them all, 

No thanks. I don't want to invite the need for psychotherapy. My family is from Russia. Generations ago. When I asked my great grandmom why they never taught us about the "old country", her reply was because it was the most horrific place on earth, and we were all fortunate to escape. That's why. 

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, jaideedave said:

Very few Europeans, Australians, Kiwis, Americans and Canadians  are visiting now.

Was in CM Friday evening and less than 1/4 of the normal western tourists. Bars and restaurants closing before 10pm, looks like a financial meltdown for the Thai businesses.

 

Hardly anyone in Dash, the upper floor closed all evening, they shut around 9:30pm.

[Chongalulu]

5 hours ago, Frankie baby said:

Its a terrible situation the young Russians are in. The fact is theirs not many options open for them. Put yourself in their shoes.

I like to walk a mile in another’s shoes. Then they are a mile away…and I have their shoes..

[connda]

10 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

This is about Russians not wanting to travel or not being welcome in Nato countries. So they go to places like Thailand instead.

Bingo!  Give that man a Kewpie Doll.  ????

[Harsh Jones]

9 hours ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

Not sure what your idea of an economic collapse is, but the Ruble has lost roughly 25% of its value against the dollar since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

In 2022 it was the strongest currency in the world and was up 45% vs the dollar. 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-ruble-currency-russian-economy-sanctioms-2022/

[London Lowf]

I have a long-term semi-detached house in Kamala and a Russian couple moved in next door at the beginning of the year - pleasant people and no problem at all.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

So, shut up, start working, be polite and friendly and do not treat tourists like sheep on the way to the slaughterhouse - Nuff said! 

Well said.

[ThaiFelix]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Yesterday, Phuket authorities refuted allegations that the island has been overrun by Russians, including members of the mafia.

I would imagine that is all they could say if the allegations are true, thats how the mafia works?? lol!

[ChipButty]

we could do with a few more Russians it's quiet down here 

[ThaiFelix]

4 hours ago, London Lowf said:

I have a long-term semi-detached house in Kamala and a Russian couple moved in next door at the beginning of the year - pleasant people and no problem at all.

What is so hard to believe about your post that some fruitcake has to laugh (emoji)?  Good thing hes not next door.

[spidermike007]

13 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Was in CM Friday evening and less than 1/4 of the normal western tourists. Bars and restaurants closing before 10pm, looks like a financial meltdown for the Thai businesses.

 

Hardly anyone in Dash, the upper floor closed all evening, they shut around 9:30pm.

Thailand is a nation in reverse. It is moving backwards, and represents the polar opposite of progress on countless levels. It is simply NOT becoming a better version of itself. The environment, traffic and public safety, horrific law enforcement, corruption, air quality, etc. Add to that heinous luxury and wine taxes, and you have an environment wealthy tourists avoid like the plague. 

 

[BritManToo]

31 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand is a nation in reverse. It is moving backwards, and represents the polar opposite of progress on countless levels. It is simply NOT becoming a better version of itself. The environment, traffic and public safety, horrific law enforcement, corruption, air quality, etc. Add to that heinous luxury and wine taxes, and you have an environment wealthy tourists avoid like the plague. 

 

Don't think anyone is avoiding Thailand, think the western middle class have just run out of spare cash.

[metisdead]

A post with a profane trolling image in violation of our Community Standards has been removed.

[Purdey]

It's like deja vu all over again. I can remember when Russians were an important part of the Pattaya  economy, with Russian restaurants and menus in Russian everywhere.

Now they're back to a different reception.