Russian Tourist Detained for Smoking in Phuket Shopping Mall

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

A Russian tourist has been detained by authorities in Phuket after she was filmed smoking and taking selfies inside a prominent shopping centre, causing a significant disturbance to other patrons.

 

On 10th February 2023, a video surfaced on the "Koh Jang Phuket" Facebook page, capturing a 26-year-old Russian woman casually smoking a cigarette and taking selfies within the mall. The footage, lasting 16 seconds, showed her unfazed by the presence of other shoppers, sparking widespread criticism and debate amongst the online community.

 

The incident prompted a response from the Vichit Police Station, who were alerted at approximately 2:30 PM about a foreign customer refusing to pay for her haircut in the very same shopping centre.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the woman outside a hair salon, where she continued to smoke and engage in disruptive behaviour, loudly insulting people passing by.

 

The police swiftly intervened, confiscating the cigarette and informing the woman of her infringements, which included causing a public nuisance and violating the mall’s strict no-smoking policy. Consequently, she was taken into custody, and both she and the gathered evidence were turned over to investigators at Vichit Police Station for further processing.

 

This episode has reignited a conversation on social media regarding the importance of respecting local laws and cultural norms while visiting foreign countries. Many commentators stressed the necessity for tourists, particularly in globally frequented spots like Phuket, to familiarise themselves with and abide by local regulations to ensure a harmonious environment for everyone, reported Thai Rath.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2025-02-11

 

 

[flyingtlger]

Russian are some of the most hated people in the world.

This is a prime example of why.......

[ozz1]

They think they are in Moscow they don't care about local laws they're are a law unto their own

[impulse]

OMG.  All hands on deck!  Call out SWAT.  We have a smoker in the mall. 

 

[Woke to Sounds]

This devotchka should be sucking on something other than a filthy cigarette.

 

Fine and deport for insubordination and excessive selfies.

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

This devotchka should be sucking on something other than a filthy cigarette.

 

Fine and deport for insubordination and excessive selfies.

 

butthurt much !!

[ikke1959]

again detained..... there are no other things the Thai "justice" system can do?? lock everyone up instead giving a big fine,or something?

[newbee2022]

Outta, promptly, never come back, please

[Ctkong]

If smoking a real cigarette and not vaping, she is a boor. All indoor malls worldwide enforced a no smoking ban since a long time ago. I cannot imagine Russia not up to date on this. This Russian is just being a pain in the arse to  the local public. 
Thailand need not welcome such boorish behavior. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Upon arrival, officers encountered the woman outside a hair salon, where she continued to smoke and engage in disruptive behaviour, loudly insulting people passing by.

Just trying to blend in

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

again detained..... there are no other things the Thai "justice" system can do?? lock everyone up instead giving a big fine,or something?

Obviously, she had to be detained initially, in order to process her transgression.  There was no indication that she was jailed.

[Liverpool Lou]

10 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

If smoking a real cigarette and not vaping, she is a boor.

If vaping she is just as much a boor.

[ChipButty]

She's just being a complete pain in the arse, bang her up for the night, sort yourself out woman, 

[Hakuna Matata]

Oh, yet another Quality Tourist from Russia. 

 

 

 

[Taboo2]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

OMG.  All hands on deck!  Call out SWAT.  We have a smoker in the mall. 

 

No, we have an ignorant, rude and disgusting woman disrespecting this country's laws.  Deal with it!

[Taboo2]

Another entitled, disgusting human being.  Not sure why she is here and not back in Russia behaving like a moron!

[EVENKEEL]

Least the one cop can see the humor. 

[Peterphuket]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

A Russian tourist has been detained by authorities in Phuket after she was filmed smoking and taking selfies inside a prominent shopping centre, causing a significant disturbance to other patrons.

 

On 10th February 2023, a video surfaced on the "Koh Jang Phuket" Facebook page, capturing a 26-year-old Russian woman casually smoking a cigarette and taking selfies within the mall. The footage, lasting 16 seconds, showed her unfazed by the presence of other shoppers, sparking widespread criticism and debate amongst the online community.

 

The incident prompted a response from the Vichit Police Station, who were alerted at approximately 2:30 PM about a foreign customer refusing to pay for her haircut in the very same shopping centre.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the woman outside a hair salon, where she continued to smoke and engage in disruptive behaviour, loudly insulting people passing by.

 

The police swiftly intervened, confiscating the cigarette and informing the woman of her infringements, which included causing a public nuisance and violating the mall’s strict no-smoking policy. Consequently, she was taken into custody, and both she and the gathered evidence were turned over to investigators at Vichit Police Station for further processing.

 

This episode has reignited a conversation on social media regarding the importance of respecting local laws and cultural norms while visiting foreign countries. Many commentators stressed the necessity for tourists, particularly in globally frequented spots like Phuket, to familiarise themselves with and abide by local regulations to ensure a harmonious environment for everyone, reported Thai Rath.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2025-02-11

 

 

What souls to her left and right.

[NativeBob]

She looks like a teen, no? seriously who cares? 200 thb fine and is over.

[impulse]

49 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

She looks like a teen, no? seriously who cares? 200 thb fine and is over.

 

I know, right? 

 

Take me out back and put me out of my misery if I ever get petty enough to call for someone to be locked up or deported for something that trivial.  Even Russkies.  Which is probably the root of most of the hate on this thread.

 

[bkk6060]

Filth.

[NativeBob]

51 minutes ago, impulse said:

Take me out back and put me out of my misery if I ever get petty enough to call for someone to be locked up or deported for something that trivial. 

Not because she was smoking, no. Her guilt is in her "nationality". 

If some kid farts in elevator we'll call it "misbehavior". However if he has bear/Putin/2-headed eagle on his T-shirt we call it WMD attack from Russkies and call for Article 5.

IMHO just some not-so-cautious teen. The "bright future" of this Planet.

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

IMHO just some not-so-cautious teen. The "bright future" of this Planet.

 

I wish I could say that's the stoopidist thing I ever did at that age.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Redemption is in the point.....10/10.

[NativeBob]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

I wish I could say that's the stoopidist thing I ever did at that age.

 

Well, drinking booze, shagging like a rabbits. sniffing whatever kicks in and other forms of rebellion - I can understand: bad parenting, bad influencers, useless teachers.

But sitting on the floor w/cigarette and digging Tick-Tok? Just some innocent not-so-clever teen.

 

PS: In Germany during Oktoberfest it is quite normal to fart during festive meals. Nobody cares. But for us its just dumb. 

[steven100]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

the importance of respecting local laws and cultural norms while visiting foreign countries. Many commentators stressed the necessity for tourists, particularly in globally frequented spots like Phuket, to familiarise themselves with and abide by local regulations to ensure a harmonious environment for everyone

   I almost spluttered my beer reading this.   It's good that all the Thais follow local laws and cultural norms,   they are perfect ....they can do no wrong.   

[steven100]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

Filth.

Calling them that is a bit harsh ... they had to arrest her as they received a complaint. 

[Tomtomtom69]

Time to send this ____ back home. Boorish behavior in the extreme. 

[Tomtomtom69]

On 2/11/2025 at 1:09 PM, NativeBob said:

She looks like a teen, no? seriously who cares? 200 thb fine and is over.

 

5000 Baht fine and maybe a day in jail...