Picture courtesy of Travel and Leisure

Thailand’s tourism sector is set to witness a surge in Russian travellers, with projections indicating a record 2.2 million arrivals next year, buoyed by a new 60-day visa-free scheme. However, a shortage of aircraft in Russian airlines poses a challenge, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

 

In 2025, TAT aims for a 7.5% increase in revenue, targeting 39 million foreign tourists and 205 million domestic trips.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that the estimate of 2.2 million Russian tourists for next year is based on the expected growth rate observed in 2024, which should elevate the market to 1.9-2 million visitors.

 

This year’s achievements are predicted to surpass the figures from both 2019 and 2023, each of which saw 1.48 million Russian tourists. In the first half of the year alone, 920,989 Russian tourists visited Thailand, making them the fifth largest group of foreign arrivals, Siripakorn said.

“Based on the first quarter report, their expenditure per trip tallied around 62,000 baht.”

For 2024, the Russian market is expected to generate 124 billion baht in revenue for Thailand’s tourism industry.

Tourism operators

 

Aeroflot and S7, two major Russian flag carriers, currently operate over 40 flights per week to Bangkok and Phuket. The Thai tourism authority is in ongoing discussions with airlines and tourism operators to boost both scheduled and chartered flights in the final quarter to meet the peak season demand from Russian tourists.

 

Despite Thai Airways expressing interest in resuming flights to Russia, there is no concrete plan in place yet, Siripakorn added.

 

Khanittha Phanworawat, Director of TAT’s Moscow office, highlighted that the aircraft shortage among commercial and chartered airlines remains a significant hurdle, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This situation prevents airlines from leasing new aircraft.

 

“The majority of 61 long-range aircraft among all operators in Russia have been allocated to domestic routes and other rising destinations such as China, Vietnam, and India.”

 

To address these challenges, TAT plans to promote extended-stay travel packages for Russian tourists, combining cultural and historical tours with wellness activities and beach destinations to increase their length of stay.

Another issue is the ban on accepting Russian credit cards in Thailand, which discourages spending. Consequently, many Russian tourists opt for inclusive tour packages that cover all expenses, including transport, accommodation, and food.

 

However, more operators in major Thai cities are now offering currency exchange services for rubles, and some Russian visitors are choosing to register new debit cards in other countries that can be used in Thailand.

 

Thailand’s efforts to accommodate and attract more Russian tourists signal a strategic move to boost the tourism industry, despite the logistical and financial challenges posed by current geopolitical tensions, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of Travel and Leisure

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-30

 

 

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"Thailand anticipates record 2.2 million Russian tourists in 2024'

Are they still dodging the draft?

2 hours ago, webfact said:

To address these challenges, TAT plans to promote extended-stay travel packages for Russian tourists, combining cultural and historical tours with wellness activities and beach destinations to increase their length of stay.

Will they be able to get time off their job in Thailand to attend these?

 2.2M Russians is only about 5% of 40M visitors to Thailand in 2024. That seems low. There are a lot more than 5% Russian foreigners in my condo building already 🙄

That is not the record, 4M travelled before 2019.

Tries to accomodate? bull<deleted>, they are always talking about accepting MIR cards and then nothing happens.

They want Russian airlines to fly more (spending their money) but not doing anything themselves.
"Despite Thai Airways expressing interest in resuming flights to Russia, there is no concrete plan in place yet"

60days is not new! it has been since october 2023.

More Russians!  My condo is over run already. Bad news for residents other than Russian and condo landlords

12 minutes ago, jippytum said:

More Russians!  My condo is over run already. Bad news for residents other than Russian and condo landlords

in Phuket ?

More bad news.

8 minutes ago, KimchiCurry said:

in Phuket ?

They are more and more in Bangkok now also.

You'd think Mad Vlad would be checking very carefully that nobody eligible for his draft was leaving the country, but it seems not.

And about 20 million more crimes i guess

still think chinese are louder and dirtier

2 minutes ago, mokwit said:

They are more and more in Bangkok now also.

Haven't seen any at my area. 

make it clear - there are original tourists for 10-14 days of "fun in Siam" and long-stayers for "let me stay here until it's over". 

I think the subject is about original tourists, who bought package tours and don't really care about "how to rent a condo" in Phuket or Pattaya. I don't think Thailand is a good destination for Russian long-stayers - too many obstacles

3 hours ago, webfact said:

a surge in Russian travellers, with projections indicating a record 2.2 million arrivals next year

 

Unfortunately, 70% of them want to stay in Thailand for long time. And they are not good people.

 

 

Not only tourists.

Many bought condos in Phuket and Pattaya.

I doubt it it's good for the country. Riff-raff is coming in hordes.😱

 

Thailand will welcome for a buck, Thailand motto is: if you have the money, we have the place, we're not into politics,

we're into more money...

21 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

I don't think Thailand is a good destination for Russian long-stayers - too many obstacles

You need to get out more Bob, 3 years per passport on Ed Visas. Now have an albeit small number of them in my BKK CBD Condo. Range from drunk all night scum to polite and well mannered.

More rubbish coming here they will only be committing crime, driving drunk and killing people,,, Again

While there are more Russians, the demographic has shifted to young families more than the drunken thugs most of us avoid. There are some seriously hot mommys too...just saying 😁

Meet a lot of Ukrainians and Russians, all trying to stay away from the war

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

"Thailand anticipates record 2.2 million Russian tourists in 2024'

Are they still dodging the draft?

Now they can do a border bounce yes.... 

I am not surprised, as their leader is getting desperate for cannon fodder.....😱

11 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Riff-raff is coming in hordes

No change then

2 minutes ago, mokwit said:

You need to get out more Bob, 3 years per passport on Ed Visas. Now have an albeit small number of them in my BKK CBD Condo. Range from drunk all night scum to polite and well mannered.

Probably. I only see tourists in Tesco buying rolls and booze - so they stay in their rooms dining. Seems they can't afford restaurants. I wouldn't generalize, got nothing to share and do with them. 

32 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Thailand will welcome for a buck, Thailand motto is: if you have the money, we have the place, we're not into politics,

we're into more money...

Yes indeed, its a very short sighted approach, although I am sure there are many 'good' tourists from Russia, there will always be criminals, this applies to all countries of course, but Thailand does seem hell bent on encouraging Russians and Chinese, followed by Indians! Its a case of we want the money now, we will sort out the problems later!

Vlad P  is not happy. He's having to pay $60K USD to sign up new recruits to fight his war. Its just a matter of time before we see Russian crimps combing the beaches in Thailand for Russian draft dodgers. Perhaps a reward system (bounty) implemented to Thai mafia for each draft dodger captured and sent to the front to fight for the Motherland!!

2 hours ago, Tim K said:

That is not the record, 4M travelled before 2019.

Tries to accomodate? bull<deleted>, they are always talking about accepting MIR cards and then nothing happens.

They want Russian airlines to fly more (spending their money) but not doing anything themselves.
"Despite Thai Airways expressing interest in resuming flights to Russia, there is no concrete plan in place yet"

60days is not new! it has been since october 2023.

      I'm curious what year before 2019 saw 4 million Russian travelers to Thailand.  2019 was 1.5M, 2018 was 1.7M.  2017 and 2016 were around 1.4M.  Stopped checking after that as none of the years I checked were coming close to 4 million Russian tourists.

2 hours ago, jippytum said:

More Russians!  My condo is over run already. Bad news for residents other than Russian and condo landlords

 

Why is it bad news?

1 minute ago, BobBKK said:

 

Why is it bad news?

Not for you, you can team up with a few and talk about old times, eh.........

Agree with Hakuna Matata.  She has has it dead right.