Russians Now Hold 1 in 4 Foreign Work Permits in Phuket

Russians Now Hold 1 in 4 Foreign Work Permits in Phuket

A new report from the Phuket Provincial Employment Office reveals that Russians now hold 25% of all foreign work permits in Phuket, with 3,926 out of 15,620 total permits. This highlights a growing shift from tourism to long-term living and working among Russians on the island. Other top nationalities include workers from the Philippines, China, and the UK. Most foreigners are employed in hotels, F&B, education, consulting, and tourism. The report has renewed discussions about labour integration and economic planning as Phuket’s expat workforce continues to diversify.