Phuket’s ‘Russian invasion’ – they’re here to stay

[Expat Tom]

I have lived here for 15 years. The Russian invasion is just one more reason that I am working on my exit plan.

Regarding taxing expats, it is far from a settled issue but the brain trust in BKK ( I am joking about brain trust...should be brainless trust) has not thought this through. I am not wealthy but I bring in around 100,000 baht to the country monthly. I spent it all, every baht going into the Thai economy. I am not the only farang who will likely spend 179 days a year here to avoid tax- residency. That means that 6 months X 100,000 baht will not be spent in Thailand. I am sure the Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Mexico, the PI  and many other countries are rooting for Thailand to tax foreigners. 

 

Let's see? Russians and Tax....the RFL ( Reasons for Leaving) is increasing. 

[Autonuaq]

There are two ways to invade a country, by going direct into war or use the strategy as they use now.

First send the people in mass and then change the culture and landscape it to their own nationalty and standerds.

Then Putin will declare it is part of Russia the so called the Ukraine route.

 

The Thai seem to sleep on the cloud of tourism that they are not aware of the reality and with this way soon will have part annexed by the Russian Duma. 

[Expat Tom]

Woops!  I forgot one more reason om my list to leave....Khun Anutin! Mental Giant! 

[spidermike007]

21 minutes ago, Tedly said:

 How are they buying property? I thought foreigners could not buy land, or are they setting up corporations and buying with Thai people? 

Foreigners are allowed to own condos (up to 49% of a building can be owned by foreigners), and I believe they can also own a land lease. 

[VBF]

13 minutes ago, harrycallahan said:

Would a Ukranian adorned beer bar called Draft Dodgers (Bottles Only) be a good business idea? 

No - wouldn't work...they've got no bottle 🙄

 

OK 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

"Thankfully I don't have to live on Phuket. Had I lived there, I would have left. "

 

Strange comment if you don't know if and if so how it would have affected your life. I know it hasn't affected mine.

Been to Phuket enough times to know I would never want to live there under ordinary circumstances. With the influx of Russians, even free rent in a nice villa would not be enough motivation to live there, for me. Of course this is very subjective. I really, really dislike the Russians. 

[brianthainess]

36 minutes ago, geisha said:

An old man told me years back that when the Russian arrived the locals would send messages to neighboring villages to warn the people to hide the women and kids, especially girls. Savages he said. 

I have an old Hungarian friend, he told me once, his mother had never hit him, and then one day she pulled his trousers down slapped really hard several times and then sat him on the toilet he was balling his eyes out, when the Russians came the sight of him sitting their pants down crying, was enough to make them go away, that was his first childhood memory.

His mother did explain to him later that she did not want to be raped.

[harrycallahan]

9 minutes ago, VBF said:

No - wouldn't work...they've got no bottle 🙄

 

OK 

 A change of mind. We adorn it with Ukranian and Russian regalia, and call it Draft Dodgers - Make Love, Not War. 

[Guderian]

Since these are mostly young people who can't possibly claim that their income comes from a pension that's already been taxed, I hope the TRD is on the job and raking in billions of Baht in taxes from them.

[bwanajohn]

In another 30 years people of Russian and to a lesser extent Ukrainian descent will probably be an ethnic sub group in Thai society like the Chinese and Indians.

[rexpotter]

The great leaders here are afraid of them. Just like the Chinese, and the Americans.

[Chongalulu]

16 minutes ago, Goat said:

Wow this forum is something else.

If a Brit actually does something wrong the apologists are out in force. He can kill a woman nd the excuses come spewing out.

But there is not even an incident reported here, it is just a completely racist thread to bitch about people from a certain country.

Rules applied differently.

A disgrace. 

I wont be posting again today.

Can you extend that to the rest of the year - put you out of our misery.. ?or at the least let us have songkran in peace ! 😭 

[Excogitator]

17 minutes ago, Goat said:

Wow this forum is something else.

If a Brit actually does something wrong the apologists are out in force. He can kill a woman nd the excuses come spewing out.

But there is not even an incident reported here, it is just a completely racist thread to bitch about people from a certain country.

Rules applied differently.

A disgrace. 

I wont be posting again today.

It would be interesting to know what they say about other 'farang' tourists and expats in russian-speaking forums concerning Thailand (anyone?).

[sammieuk1]

What could possibly go wrong 🤔

 

 

[Polaky]

2 hours ago, shackleton said:

I have no problems with Russian tourists staying in Phuket and Pattaya buying up the land houses businesses ect 😱

Just leave  Hua Hin and other areas in  South Thailand  alone for us retired old  Farangs to enjoy 😉 

Put your head in the sand

[Lopburikid]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

So why do these corrupt Russians get a 3 month visa?  Doesn't sound very neutral to me, why does this Govt. not send condolences to Ukraine when many people are killed by a bomb or Shot. Why did Clown face not visit Ukraine on his world tour. 

I just heard a BBC report on the flooding in Russia where many had to evacuate their homes, while their fellow country men were stealing from flooded empty houses, just as they looted all in the Ukraine. These are the people you invited here, corrupt to the core, but hey it's only $$$$$ that count in La La land, no ethics here, ethics don't give you money. Ranting paused .......

The keep mentioning the Swiss guy who kicked the doctor (allegedly) But no mention of the other Swiss guy who knocked and elderly Thai woman to the ground and continued to punch her while she was on the floor. Or the Russian woman who kicked a pregnant Thai woman in the crotch and shouted abuse at her. I know the Russian was find B500 and made to say sorry, but still no call for her visa to be revoked!

[Robert Paulson]

Let them have at it. Plenty of places that have all the nice things phuket has yet none of the drawbacks. Phuket is one giant scam if you ask me. It’s a stain on all of Thailand. Lord of the flies 

[Excogitator]

2 hours ago, shackleton said:

I have no problems with Russian tourists staying in Phuket and Pattaya buying up the land houses businesses ect 😱

Just leave  Hua Hin and other areas in  South Thailand  alone for us retired old  Farangs to enjoy 😉 

If the influx continues, and they do start taking over Hua Hin, you might experience a sudden change of opinion..

[Trip Hop]

2 hours ago, meauwnam said:

As far as I'm concerned, Russians and Ukrainians are the same and their population consists largely of corrupt and criminal people. Corrupt countries always attract corrupt and criminal people. It's only a matter of time before a Russian kills a Ukrainian or vice versa. The question is not whether it will happen, but when and what it will do to the general atmosphere in places in Thailand where many Russians and Ukrainians reside.

As far as corruption in Ukraine is concerned I think this stems from it formerly being part of a communist country where there will always be a black market etc. However having worked with quite a few Ukrainians over the years I have always found them to be decent hard working respectable people. I’m sorry that I can’t say the same about my experience of Russians. 

[kaufmanski]

This news report is based on the reporters observations at a shopping mall and hearsay. While yes, there's been a huge influx, I would like to see information based on evidence. Why not interview the Russian community?

[stevenl]

6 minutes ago, kaufmanski said:

This news report is based on the reporters observations at a shopping mall and hearsay. While yes, there's been a huge influx, I would like to see information based on evidence. Why not interview the Russian community?

I commented earlier already I disagree with the author.

[KhunLA]

If they got the money, meet the visa requirements, then ... WELCOME

 

I'm thinking some of the replies are from folks a bit envious 

[Tarteso]

Phuket’s ‘Russian invasion’ – they’re here to stay
 

 

Same same in Ukraine..

[HappyinNE]

I have visited Russia and the people were not as described here.  I enjoyed my time spent in Russia as a tourist and believe what I have read here is USA Propaganda which is being used to back up their failures in the USA Foreign Policy as well as their failure in Economic Policy where Russia is doing well even with the USA boycotting most Russian products.  Of course not the ones that are in a shortage in the US.

[HappyinNE]

I have visited Russia and the people were not as described here.  I enjoyed my time spent in Russia as a tourist and believe what I have read here is USA Propaganda which is being used to back up their failures in the USA Foreign Policy as well as their failure in Economic Policy where Russia is doing well even with the USA boycotting most Russian products.  Of course not the ones that are in a shortage in the US.

[stevenl]

9 minutes ago, HappyinNE said:

I have visited Russia and the people were not as described here.  I enjoyed my time spent in Russia as a tourist and believe what I have read here is USA Propaganda which is being used to back up their failures in the USA Foreign Policy as well as their failure in Economic Policy where Russia is doing well even with the USA boycotting most Russian products.  Of course not the ones that are in a shortage in the US.

So the experiences of Thai people with Russians are USA propaganda.

[eumenades]

5 hours ago, VBF said:

Good points there SM.

I haven't been to Phuket in a long time (and will probably never return) but the Russians I've met in Pattaya seem to be boorish, rude, with few social graces.

However, I've worked with Russians in the UK and they were charming, well- educated people.

I guess, like my fellow Brits, there are Russians and there are Russians. 🤔

 

Right and we need to tell the difference.

[eumenades]

Okay, time to see a few Russians who make a difference. One is my favourite Putin opponent, the very courageous Ekaterina Kotrikadze, journalist who lives in Ukraine.

 

[proton]

The owner of this forum married one!

[Funkymover]

so these animals get a 90 day visa , and our visa fee goes up, to cover the loss in revenue