Crime Russian Man Arrested for Visa Overstay After Living in Koh Phangan Temple for 8 Months

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Facebook Public Relations Office Area 5

 

A 30-year-old Russian man, Maksim Abroskin, has been arrested on Koh Phangan after authorities discovered he had been living unlawfully in a temple for over eight months.

 

The arrest was made on 19th May following a coordinated effort by local administration officials and Surat Thani immigration police, prompted by reports from the community about his suspicious behaviour.

 

Abroskin travelled to Thailand on a tourist visa, which expired six months before his arrest. Finding himself stranded on the island with no resources, he resorted to residing at Wat Sri Thanu, a local temple on Koh Phangan.

 

During his stay, he allegedly relied on temple donations for sustenance, drawing the attention of locals who reported his activities to officials.

 

Picture courtesy of Facebook Public Relations Office Area 5

 

The operation was directed by Teerut Suphawibulphol, the Surat Thani Governor, along with Koh Phangan district officers and immigration officials. On arrival at the temple, authorities confirmed that Abroskin had overstayed his visa by 194 days, violating Thai immigration laws.

 

Abroskin has been charged with illegally staying in the country beyond his visa allowance. The case will now proceed with him in police custody as legal processes unfold.

 

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the Thai immigration office faces, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Koh Phangan, where extended stays can sometimes go unnoticed.

 

The collaboration between local officials and the community played a key role in the identification and apprehension of the foreign national.

 

The case serves as a reminder for tourists on the importance of adhering to visa regulations and ensuring their legal status while in the country.

 

Abroskin now faces legal consequences and deportation, reflecting the strict enforcement of immigration laws in Thailand.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Public Relations Office Area 5 2025-05-21

 

 

[JoseThailand]

He simply didn't want to go to war to kill innocent Ukrainians

[PJ71]

More grass's.

[ChrisY1]

Hope he can handle an AK!

[baansgr]

Problems immigration have?????..try UKs immigration, they got 3 million violent,thieving terrorists to deal with

.

[NickyLouie]

16 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Problems immigration have?????..try UKs immigration, they got 3 million violent,thieving terrorists to deal with

.

 

Y'all need Trump 

[KireB]

Sending back , is sending him to a mere death. Give him a refugee status Thailand.

[Hakuna Matata]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

A 30-year-old Russian man, Maksim Abroskin, has been arrested on Koh Phangan after authorities discovered he had been living unlawfully in a temple for over eight months.

 

OMG, those pesky Russians are everywhere!

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

4 hours ago, KireB said:

Sending back , is sending him to a mere death. Give him a refugee status Thailand.

 

Give him Thailand citizenship and Thai National ID card with chip for free!

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Hope he can handle an AK!

 

Only AK 47 😮

[picctrainop]

5 hours ago, baansgr said:

Problems immigration have?????..try UKs immigration, they got 3 million violent,thieving terrorists to deal with

.

But One Less Racist Idiot… 🙄

[Lite Beer]

6 hours ago, baansgr said:

Problems immigration have?????..try UKs immigration, they got 3 million violent,thieving terrorists to deal with

.

Really?

And you know this as a fact.❓

[Bannoi]

5 hours ago, NickyLouie said:

 

Y'all need Trump 

Already got one he's called Farage

[Kaopad999]

No excuses to overstay in Thailand. Many different Visa;s for all ages now. 

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

He simply didn't want to go to war to kill innocent Ukrainians

I understand that he broke the Thai immigration law, but he looks like a harmless individual who for his own reasons just wanted a quiet life out of the Ukraine.. 

 

[Ironmike]

I don't think this is the only problem immigration officers need to deal with most of the other Russians are all working illegally everywhere and doing what ever they want time to send them all back to the Russian front 

[unblocktheplanet]

Who's the farang cop in the photo???

[BritScot]

1 hour ago, Lite Beer said:

Really?

And you know this as a fact.❓

Yes. I also know what happens to them when the get refused! They move out their free accommodation and move  sometime not even far and stay with a fellow countryman or friends, disappearing into the black economy. Even while waiting they work for scum paying them half the hourly rate.

[off road pat]

Just a guy that don't want to go fighting into a stupid war, and live his life ! This time I hope they will not send him back to Russia !

[sletraveler]

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

No excuses to overstay in Thailand. Many different Visa;s for all ages now. 

 

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

No excuses to overstay in Thailand. Many different Visa;s for all ages now. 

He was broke.  So not many options 

 

[Quentin Zen]

If the only reason he did an overstay was to avoid the war, then that's great.   Hope someone gives him the 20k and an airline ticket, or perhaps he can get it himself as the ultimate safety precaution  (I know he was begging for food, but, well, you gotta have that 20k to avoid prison).   I think he should have kept moving and gone to Issan, some super small place, maybe even worked at a private school teaching English.  I've seen this twice.  Once a Russian who couldn't speak English was teaching English, and once a guy on an overstay was teaching under the table.  So I'm sure it can be combined.  haha.  

 

8 months is pretty long in Koh Phangan.  I would guess he could have done 2-3 years in Issan somewhere.  Ah, maybe Bangkok is way better since you can hide more......but those smart cars!!!

 

anyhow, this is the first overstayer I might just like.  

[Muhendis]

8 hours ago, baansgr said:

Problems immigration have?????..try UKs immigration, they got 3 million violent,thieving terrorists to deal with

.

And that's just the conservative party......

[Spock]

2 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

No excuses to overstay in Thailand. Many different Visa;s for all ages now. 

Not without money.

[ujayujay]

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Who's the farang cop in the photo???

Give your optician a chance

[phetphet]

If the guy has no money, does that mean he will likely end up in that hellhole Immigration Detention Centre?

[Docno]

3 hours ago, picctrainop said:

But One Less Racist Idiot… 🙄

The post you referred to simply said "3 million violent, thieving terrorists" and you assumed he was talking about people of colour. Hmmm, I wonder who the racist is... 🤪 

[riverhigh]

8 hours ago, KireB said:

Sending back , is sending him to a mere death. Give him a refugee status Thailand.

In this case, I kind of agree but then again if he is given refugee status then Thailand will be flooded with thousands of Russians (good and bad) wanting refugee status. From the video he looks like a decent person. It appears he did not do his homework when he selected Thailand as his escape route. 

[cardinalblue]

Sounds like a lost soul…

[black tabby12345]

Another draft refugee.

He could stay on in Thailand if he becomes a monk at that temple.

[wensiensheng]

How does a foreigner live in a Thai temple for 8 months and not be noticed? His tent and other belongings are a total giveaway.