Russian 'Mafia' Caught Extorting Tourists on Koh Pha Ngan

[snoop1130]

Picture of the alleged Russian criminal courtesy of mgronline

 

In a dramatic takedown, Tourist Police apprehended a Russian man allegedly posing as a "mafia" figure on Koh Pha Ngan, intimidating tourists and demanding protection money. The 27-year-old, Vladislav Klenov, was arrested after police received a tip-off about his fake authority antics on March 9.

 

Klenov, donning counterfeit police gear and toting a mock firearm, wooed fellow Russians with claims of high-level Thai connections. His illusions of power quickly unravelled after a raid led by Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, targeting his operations at a local shop in Ban Tai.

 

The search revealed an arsenal fit for a Hollywood set: an air rifle mimicking an M4A1, handcuffs, and a sham police vest, underpinning his facade. Klenov, primarily a cannabis salesman, reaped profits while maintaining a menacing persona.

 

 

Faced with charges of working without a permit and using cocaine, his defiance crumbled. He now awaits legal proceedings at Koh Pha Ngan Police Station. Lt. Col. Winij Boonchit urged any victims of Klenov's intimidation to come forward, assuring their safety, reported The Thaiger.

 

In a statement to tourists, Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira emphasised Thailand's zero-tolerance approach: "The law is firm—no room for troublemakers in paradise. This high season, our mission is to ensure a crime-free haven for all visitors."

 

-- 2025-03-10

 

 

[JeffersLos]

I'm still trying to understand the photo never mind if that's a man or woman. 

[swerve]

Hoping for a long IDC holiday for this scrote.

[Jim Blue]

You start with a little island like KPN then you take over the world!

[JoePai]

14 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

I'm still trying to understand the photo never mind if that's a man or woman. 

Agree not easy - I think the chap on the right with a Police necklace is real, the (?)female in the middle the translator and the chap on left the Russian still dressed up in his pretend cop gear ?

[Izzy45523]

Off to Big Tiger for him

[CFCol]

12 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Agree not easy - I think the chap on the right with a Police necklace is real, the (?)female in the middle the translator and the chap on left the Russian still dressed up in his pretend cop gear ?

I think it's the other way round

[newbee2022]

Let him rotten in jail. No mercy

[dpeti73]

You can’t take over the police job 😝

[PETERTHEEATER]

Which one in the photo is the police General?

[frankie machine]

Although some modern air rifles and pistols can be very powerful and deadly, one air rifle hardly constitutes "an arsenal fit for a Hollywood set"

[Paiman]

I assume the middle feminine one is the bad guy ( blurred out face ). 

Right side, big guy, undercover cop. The other side cop. 

My theory.

[howlee101]

15 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

I'm still trying to understand the photo never mind if that's a man or woman. 

Careful you don't misgender. Many on this forum will be triggered and report you as misogyn-genderphobia zealot 🤨

[shackleton]

These quality Russian tourists Thailand welcomed with open  arms 💰 🤑 

Are certainly settling in well 🤔 

[Woke to Sounds]

A.I. glitch photo?

 

Igor had a good thing going and then he got greedy.

 

These axseh0les never know when to quit.

[Peterphuket]

He did match the colour of his shoes to his country of origin, only I can't place that cap.

[Peterphuket]

9 minutes ago, shackleton said:

These quality Russian tourists Thailand welcomed with open  arms 💰 🤑 

Are certainly settling in well 🤔 

 

[Peterphuket]

wrong item.

[Peterphuket]

13 minutes ago, shackleton said:

These quality Russian tourists Thailand welcomed with open  arms 💰 🤑 

Are certainly settling in well 🤔 

Well not just to the Russians, yesterday I read a report in a foreign newspaper that because of the import duties USA is imposing on more and more countries, Thailand is seeking more rapprochement with China for that reason, mentioned it last week, there will come a time when instead of Thai, it will be better to learn the Chinese language.

[Hakuna Matata]

16 minutes ago, shackleton said:

These quality Russian tourists Thailand welcomed with open  arms 💰 🤑 

Are certainly settling in well 🤔 

 

 

[ronster]

So some scruffy skinny guy was running around dressed as a Thai cop pretending he was russian mafia and people believed him ? 😂

[renaissanc]

"But ... but ... don't you know who I am? I have connections with the Mexican cartels and Russian mafias. You can't touch me!" ... There are enough delusional people in the world already.

[Yagoda]

7 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Well not just to the Russians, yesterday I read a report in a foreign newspaper that because of the import duties USA is imposing on more and more countries, Thailand is seeking more rapprochement with China for that reason, mentioned it last week, there will come a time when instead of Thai, it will be better to learn the Chinese language.

What newspaper LOL

[Yagoda]

Attention Americans: Im sure that most of us can differentiate a real from a fake M4, but you should note that the Chinese are pumping out M4geries that look just like:

 

Air Rifles.

 

Be alert. 

[spidermike007]

There is no question that the liberal visa policy has enabled the Russian Bratva and the Chinese Triads to establish a presence here, but it is very unlikely that the Bratva members go around announcing who they are, and who they work for. One look at them, and you know. 

 

 

[Expat Tom]

Any country that builds its tourism industry on the three pillars of China, India and Russia deserves all of rudeness, disease, and criminality that comes with that decision. 

I have been in Thailand for over 15 years and taught at one of Thailand's leading universities. I love Thailand but I am completely mobile. After I sold my two condos about 5 years ago I will only be a renter here. I will be sad to leave my second home but almost daily, I add another item of two to my RFL file (Reasons For Leaving). I have an exit plan and, unfortunately, the day may come that I put that plan into action.

 

Let's look at a few simple facts. The FIRST case of Covid 19 reported outside of China was a taxi driver in Bangkok who took two Chinese tourists from the airport to a hotel. Thailand has fallen from 106# on the World Corruption Index in 2023 to 107# in 2024 concurrent with the increase in Russians . BYW, Russia is 141st on that list. Indians are rude and obnoxious and cheap and generally HATED by the average Thai. The Thai government is worried about overstays and other visa issues while bars and clubs advertising Russian ladies operate under glowing neon lights on Walking Street. What kind of visas and work permits do these Russian ladies have....BROWN ENVELOPE VISAS?  The corruption is so blatant in Thailand that it requires no research to find it. Its right in your face. 

 

I have traveled to over 70 countries and lived for longer than one year in 6 different countries. Thailand's problems are 95% due to terrible government. I will be extremely sad when I leave. I love the culture and the people. The problem is the leadership...or lack of. 

 

  

[Ironmike]

So this looser has finished his military training on Koh Pha Nga so after he spends time at the Hilton he will be more then ready to go fight for Putin at the Russian border job done,,,, so many Russian cowards are running away to places like Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, shr Lanka, Malta and on and on breaking all the laws they want to it's more then high time these free visas are stopped there doing nothing but attracting scumbags from all over the world. 

[neeray]

Putin will welcome him back home and reward him with a trip to the front line, no food, no water, an old Soviet era gun but no ammunition.

[BangkokReady]

34 minutes ago, ronster said:

So some scruffy skinny guy was running around dressed as a Thai cop pretending he was russian mafia and people believed him ? 😂

 

Doubtful.  The guy's likely mentally ill.  Probably a lot of smiling, nodding and saying "Really?  Wow!" and then quickly walking off.

[madone]

16 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

I'm still trying to understand the photo never mind if that's a man or woman. 

yeah me too.

The story is very different in tone from what I read last night, saying he was swaggering and posturing and working without a work permit,

He was allegedly manning the weed shop for a free room and a cut of revenue