PM Srettha pledges to woo back Russian tourists with revived flights

[snoop1130]

 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday.

 

Acknowledging reports of a burgeoning number of Russian tourists eyeing Thailand for their holidays, PM Srettha highlighted the critical lack of flights to accommodate the demand.

 

“Inadequate flights are hindering the influx of Russian tourists.”

 

The 62 year old PM divulged intentions to engage in discussions with Thai Airways to reignite the direct route between Moscow and Bangkok. With Thai Airways already re-establishing flights between Istanbul and Bangkok, the prime minister remains optimistic about reviving the Moscow-Bangkok route.

 

PM Srettha underscored the burgeoning interest from Russian tourists, particularly since the extension of visa exemptions from 30 to 90 days last year. Noting a substantial willingness among Russian holidaymakers to visit Thailand this year, surpassing the one million mark, the Thai PM hailed the prospect as a positive development.

 

The Thai government’s unilateral move in October last year to grant temporary visa exemptions to Russian passport holders further underscores efforts to bolster tourism ties. The scheme, valid from November 1 to April 30 this year, aims to facilitate smoother travel for Russians while enhancing bilateral relations, reported KhaoSod English.

 

Thai Airways’ history with the Bangkok-Moscow route dates back to its inception on November 1, 2005, with three weekly flights. However, the onset of the pandemic prompted flight restrictions, including the suspension of services to Europe, including Moscow, from March 24, 2020.

 

In related news, in response to robust demand, Thai AirAsia is set to increase flights to coveted travel destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a fresh route to Okinawa.

 

The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also helms SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the surge in Thai travellers to these nations will result from their budget planning for foreign trips.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo courtesy of KhaSod English

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-20

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[bokningar]

Yes that is all we want more Russians

[mark131v]

Anyone backing Russia and Putin is morally bankrupt especially with Navalny barely cold! the world may well judge their actions

 

Unfortunately it's not at all surprising as in Thailand you can pretty much guarantee if there's a choice of doing right or wrong they always go the wrong way

 

It's what you get when poor education and low iq is mixed with dim entitled idiots in charge and matched with nepotism and corruption, an absolute recipe for disaster!

[DonniePeverley]

Woo back ? Has he been to Phuket? The island is now Russia. 

Edited February 20 by DonniePeverley

[daveAustin]

Millions of Chinese and Russians. How lovely. Thailand used to be so nice. 

[bamnutsak]

So I'm guessing the PM will remain mum on the state-sponsored murder of Alexei Navalny?

 

Not great timing on this plea for tourists.

 

Shameful.

[Kiwiken]

Perhaps it is time for Western nations to review relations with Thailand. Is Thailand looking to join Brics?

[Jack West Jr]

One corrupt country/leadership extending a courtesy to another : just give visa exemptions to draft dodgers , Russian mafiya and others of the same ilk . Shame on the Thai government.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday.

 

Acknowledging reports of a burgeoning number of Russian tourists eyeing Thailand for their holidays, PM Srettha highlighted the critical lack of flights to accommodate the demand.

 

“Inadequate flights are hindering the influx of Russian tourists.”

Fantasy land.

[blazes]

 

Why are Russians being given the privilege of a 90-day visa exempt?  Are they richer than Westerners or something?

[sammieuk1]

The moral compass of a soi dog as normal 🤔

[klauskunkel]

Quote

PM Srettha pledges to woo back Russian tourists

by wearing his new Matryoshka Soft Power Socks made in China:

 

[LALes]

More Russians, more Chinese, more Indians, more Songkran...this guy is awesome.💀

[Andycoops]

No morals in the Thai government it's all about money and numbers.

 

Allow the communist butchers in free but anyone from a democratic country has to endure the bureaucracy.

[Hindy]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday.

 

Acknowledging reports of a burgeoning number of Russian tourists eyeing Thailand for their holidays, PM Srettha highlighted the critical lack of flights to accommodate the demand.

 

“Inadequate flights are hindering the influx of Russian tourists.”

 

The 62 year old PM divulged intentions to engage in discussions with Thai Airways to reignite the direct route between Moscow and Bangkok. With Thai Airways already re-establishing flights between Istanbul and Bangkok, the prime minister remains optimistic about reviving the Moscow-Bangkok route.

 

PM Srettha underscored the burgeoning interest from Russian tourists, particularly since the extension of visa exemptions from 30 to 90 days last year. Noting a substantial willingness among Russian holidaymakers to visit Thailand this year, surpassing the one million mark, the Thai PM hailed the prospect as a positive development.

 

The Thai government’s unilateral move in October last year to grant temporary visa exemptions to Russian passport holders further underscores efforts to bolster tourism ties. The scheme, valid from November 1 to April 30 this year, aims to facilitate smoother travel for Russians while enhancing bilateral relations, reported KhaoSod English.

 

Thai Airways’ history with the Bangkok-Moscow route dates back to its inception on November 1, 2005, with three weekly flights. However, the onset of the pandemic prompted flight restrictions, including the suspension of services to Europe, including Moscow, from March 24, 2020.

 

In related news, in response to robust demand, Thai AirAsia is set to increase flights to coveted travel destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a fresh route to Okinawa.

 

The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also helms SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the surge in Thai travellers to these nations will result from their budget planning for foreign trips.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo courtesy of KhaSod English

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-20

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

That’s why I will not go to Phuket anymore,not that it makes a difference there are thousands of Russians in Phuket

[Gknrd]

How lucky you western expats are. Heaven on earth. 

[Pouatchee]

thailand was a retreat for us soldiers during the vietnam war... my guess is sretha is hoping to do the same with russian soldiers now. only good thing is while they are here they are not carrying guns in ukraine. 

 

if only russians were a sympathetic people. all the russians i have seen really want nothing else to do with anyone else... and i say 'seen' cos i have never got to know one of them... 

[sikishrory]

The place is already Moscow. Just goes to show he has no grasp of what is actually going on in the real world.

 

[jippytum]

What planet is he on... The place is overcrowded with Russians. He should try living among them in places like Phuket and Pattaya. 

[jippytum]

Woo Russian tourists really...... How come he  hasn't noticed the country is crawling with them already. 

[Sydebolle]

Maybe someone tells the PM, that Russia is at war ........ just thinking out loud 🙂 

[Tarteso]

..bilateral relations..
 

 

I heard Pattaya ladyboys are waiting the permission and blessing of the Tsar,  to open a bar in Red square..Just saying..

[spidermike007]

No, no, please don't. 

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. Anywhere in the world. The vast majority of Russians I have met, seem to have very, very few redeeming qualities. It is no wonder.

 

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. Now, with the genocide against Ukraine, perhaps it is not a coincidence that the world is not standing up to support them and show them kindness? Just an observation.

 

Some appear entitled, but I do not think it is a sense of entitlement. I think it is a reflection of the current culture. It was destroyed over a century of callous and murderous leadership. Stalin, Lenin, Khruschev, now Putin. They have become somewhat savage and crude. No grace, no finesse, no courtesy. Rather uncivilized.

 

My family was from Russia a few generations back. I used to ask my great-grandmother when she was still around, why they didn't teach us anything about the old country. She would give me this look, and tell me "the reason we never teach you about the place we came from, is because the place we came from was the most horrific country on earth, it was the most destitute, horrible, oppressive place and we were thrilled to finally get out of there and leave it behind. That's why we don't teach you about the old country, the old country doesn't exist for us".

[michaellee]

5 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Millions of Chinese and Russians. How lovely. Thailand used to be so nice. 

Millions of drunk tattoos American and Brits on soi bukao. Pattaya used to be so nice. 

[daveAustin]

Thing is, the plebs in power here will never have to rub shoulders with, or live next to, hordes of angry Russians. I’m sure there are many decent folk among them and cannot blame them for running from little nutty Botox boy, but the current Thai leadership have their agenda and couldn’t care less if Thais get put out. I wonder if politicians the world over would be so quick to allow in masses of this or that group if they had to share the burden on their street. 

[steven100]

of course they are desperate to leave Russia ..

 

how depressing ......   This place has really gone downhill and down the drain ...

Little Moscows everywhere.

thousands of Russians in Phuket ...   thousands of Russians in Pattaya ....   

 

and do you really think they are just coming for a two week holiday ?    I doubt it  ' 

 

what a mess     !

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, blazes said:

 

Why are Russians being given the privilege of a 90-day visa exempt?  Are they richer than Westerners or something?

It's supposed to be reciprocal as Thais get 3 months visa for Russia, but what has never been mentioned is the fact Ukraine also gives a 3 month visa to Thais, and yet it's not reciprocal  for them. Go figure.

[jacko45k]

10 hours ago, bokningar said:

Yes that is all we want more Russians

Yes, a little puzzling. It doesn't seem long ago complaints were coming out of Phuket of excessive numbers of Russians polarizing the place.

Will Russia be stealing more planes to bring them in?

[Raindancer]

43 minutes ago, michaellee said:

Millions of drunk tattoos American and Brits on soi bukao. Pattaya used to be so nice. 

Another xenophobic post.  Totally unnecessary. 

[BerndD]

There are too many Putin trolls, Srettha is one of them. And dealing with the devil? There is no devil in Buddhism. And money trumps morals.

Regardless, if Thai-Airways flies to Russia, it is violating sanctions with negative consequences for Thai-Airways. And if no one explains this to Srettha, Srettha will hardly understand that.