I recently visited Thailand after a long time away and one of the places I went to was Phuket. I was in the old town and was really surprised at how many Russians there were. The significant majority of people on my plane from Bangkok were Russian. Nearly everyone in the condo I was in were Russian, and so many people at the airport when I was leaving were also Russian. 

 

I'm just curious why this is. Has there been a relaxing of visas or something? Has Thailand been campaigning to attract tourists from Russia? I found it quite strange compared to 10yrs ago.

2 minutes ago, nb1984 said:

I recently visited Thailand after a long time away and one of the places I went to was Phuket. I was in the old town and was really surprised at how many Russians there were. The significant majority of people on my plane from Bangkok were Russian. Nearly everyone in the condo I was in were Russian, and so many people at the airport when I was leaving were also Russian. 

 

I'm just curious why this is. Has there been a relaxing of visas or something? Has Thailand been campaigning to attract tourists from Russia? Thanks

Hello Ukraine war

They have essentially annexed that island. Thailand has lost sovereignty 

Thailand is 'open' for Russians, and clearly many Russians have voted with their feet to relocate to a warmer and safer country.  In my condo building in Jomtien, most tenants are Russians.  Most are OK, some are tw*ts, just like any other nationality.

I never came across 1 in Udon. No Indians or Chinese either.

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Hello Ukraine war

Yeah. I get that obviously. I'm more curious about whether Thailand has adjusted the visa conditions or made a concerted effort to entice Russians. I lived here for many years and rarely (if ever) met Russians - now there seems to be loads of flights to/from Russia and many tourists (in addition to those staying for long periods of time).

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

I never came across 1 in Udon. No Indians or Chinese either.

No beach in Udon,

 

If I had to choose, Udon vs Phuket ...

... or Udon vs any other place below  Krung Thep, Udon loses.

 

Yea, Phuket wins over Udon.

 

 

3 hours ago, nb1984 said:

I recently visited Thailand after a long time away and one of the places I went to was Phuket. I was in the old town and was really surprised at how many Russians there were. The significant majority of people on my plane from Bangkok were Russian.

A lot of Russian draft dodgers don't want to fight in Putin's war.  I'd be doing the same thing if I was Russian.

2 hours ago, Paul45 said:

A lot of Russian draft dodgers don't want to fight in Putin's war.

How do you know if they are Russian , Ukrainian  or any other

"Slavic language" speaking person   was it the we love Putin T-shirt ? 😋

They have invested some serious money around Rawai, They took over half the beach front and inside they own Rawai water park and a kids play center, school that is full of Russians kids and a moo baan that seems to be all Russians, I almost forgot a Language school, 

Take a look at our new mini shopping mall with a Starbucks, Tops supermarket, soon to have an English style pub and many condo's and more villas, You need to start learning Russian, 

Have you been to Pattaya? You'd think you're in downtown Moscow.

 

Even the shops have Cyrillic signs.

 

Even the bargirls are turning Russian.

5 hours ago, nb1984 said:

I found it quite strange compared to 10yrs ago.

Had you heard there is a war on?