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Thailand Remains a Top Choice for Russian Holidaymakers

Featured Replies

Thaiger-News-Featired-Image-2025-07-23T095647.902.jpg

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is experiencing a significant influx of Russian tourists, as not even geopolitical tensions or increased competition from Vietnam deter their travel plans. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Russian market is on course to smash records by 2025, despite global instability and US sanctions.

 

Kanchana Sing-udom, the director of TAT's Moscow office, expressed confidence in surpassing last year's figure of 1.74 million Russian visitors. “Thailand remains a favourite destination, especially for affluent travellers looking for reliable sun, sea, and luxury,” she noted.

 

Although there was a seasonal dip this summer—a 10% decline in chartered flight seat capacity due to some Russian operators shifting focus to Vietnam—Kanchana is optimistic about a rebound in the final quarter. Key Thai gateways like Phuket and U-Tapao are expected to facilitate this upturn.

 

While Vietnam's attractions in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc are gaining popularity, Phuket continues to lead with its extensive infrastructure, varied hotel options, and wellness offerings.

 

By July 20, Russian arrivals in Thailand had reached 1.08 million, making it the kingdom’s largest long-haul market and the fourth-largest overall for foreign visitors. Thailand is consistently ranked among the top five destinations for Russian travellers, capturing 15% of the total Russian tourist market in 2024, nearly reaching the peak seen in 2013.

 

The TAT ambitiously aims for 2 million Russian arrivals this year, yet they intend to gauge the winter travel trends before celebrating success.

 

Additionally, Russian tourists are expanding their horizons beyond the typical beach holidays. While Phuket remains a staple, destinations like Krabi, Phang Nga, and mountain locales such as Chiang Mai are drawing attention, especially among those staying for extended periods.

 

“Thailand’s unique mix of hospitality, culture, wellness facilities, and family-friendly luxury keeps Russians coming back,” Kanchana added.

 

With packages catering to diverse interests and reliable luxury offerings, Thailand continues to entice Russian tourists, converting threats and challenges into opportunities, with each visitor contributing significantly to the local economy. This momentum is anticipated to continue, reinforcing Thailand’s status as a premier travel destination.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-23

 

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  • Views 5.4k
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Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

  • Phuket 10 years ago: Phuket now.  

  • Just desperate to get out of Russia

  • As long as the russians are pulling money out of russia and there living peaceable over here, then great. I just hope it leads to an economic collaspe in russia. Then maybe the war can come to a concl

Posted Images

  • Popular Post

Just desperate to get out of Russia

  • Popular Post

Phuket 10 years ago:

image.jpeg.84e62fc0e80a25b750e357b6f256c315.jpeg

Phuket now.

image.jpeg.278df1cadaf174525a09718aa262aa8e.jpeg

 

  • Popular Post

Why are they so happy with welcoming orcs? 

  • Popular Post

Arrogance  is the first thought to come to my mind..

  • Popular Post

Holidaymakers?????? 🤣🤣🤣

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Just desperate to get out of Russia

Yeah the war isn't over yet and plenty of Russians reaching call-up age.

  • Popular Post

I do not believe Russians have many choices.  If Thailand bans them then possibly Iran, China or N. Korea might be the next best options. 

  • Popular Post

Unless doing online work then how are so many Russians supporting themselves for years living in Phuket etc ?

Was said before that would be lucky if 10% of Russians could actually afford to leave the country for a time to escape war and that most of them the money was earned by dodgy means .

  • Popular Post

As long as the russians are pulling money out of russia and there living peaceable over here, then great. I just hope it leads to an economic collaspe in russia. Then maybe the war can come to a conclusion.

  • Popular Post

Phuketbirsk has transitioned to a hub of Russian money laundering, tax evasion and foreign owned businesses in disguise.

  • Popular Post

They are not holidaymakers they are people escaping call up to fight the war in Ukraine 

  • Popular Post
17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Phuket continues to lead with its extensive infrastructure

Is It the bus services, efficient train system, subways, free flow of taxis or just the wide open roads that give it this "extensive infrastructure" label.  

 

A lot must have changed since I was there last time 🤔

  • Popular Post
32 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I do not believe Russians have many choices.  If Thailand bans them then possibly Iran, China or N. Korea might be the next best options. 

 

Turkey, where they are slowly  wearing out their welcome. Too many drunken brawls.

Egypt, where they their personal safety is at risk, whether it be from shark attacks, to bus crashes, to terrorist attacks or armed robberies.

China, is fine for a short visit, but it does not offer clean air, warm sand, an ocean  and easy sex.

UAE, is for the wealthier Russians and out of reach for demographic who  go to Thailand.

  • Popular Post
37 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I do not believe Russians have many choices.  If Thailand bans them then possibly Iran, China or N. Korea might be the next best options. 

And Thailand is obviously preferable.  China is okay as tourist or to work, but not so easy to remain in once the visa runs out

8 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

They are not holidaymakers they are people escaping call up to fight the war in Ukraine 

Not really. Russia does not send the urban conscripts to Ukraine. The people  dying in Ukraine are being sent from Siberia, and the "stanistan" regions. Most of the Russians I see in thailand  have been older than 30 years. Some of them are such slobs, I doubt they could pass the military physical.

Hua Hin is popular with the Russian families, and with what appear to be government bureaucrats or military members. They all have the same haircuts, and the men are physically fit. They stay for 1-2 weeks and then leave. 

17 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

Is It the bus services, efficient train system, subways, free flow of taxis or just the wide open roads that give it this "extensive infrastructure" label.  

 

A lot must have changed since I was there last time 🤔

 

You should come moe often.  Btw. I just spend another  half hour to log in

  • Popular Post
17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaiger-News-Featired-Image-2025-07-23T095647.902.jpg

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is experiencing a significant influx of Russian tourists, as not even geopolitical tensions or increased competition from Vietnam deter their travel plans. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Russian market is on course to smash records by 2025, despite global instability and US sanctions.

 

Kanchana Sing-udom, the director of TAT's Moscow office, expressed confidence in surpassing last year's figure of 1.74 million Russian visitors. “Thailand remains a favourite destination, especially for affluent travellers looking for reliable sun, sea, and luxury,” she noted.

 

Although there was a seasonal dip this summer—a 10% decline in chartered flight seat capacity due to some Russian operators shifting focus to Vietnam—Kanchana is optimistic about a rebound in the final quarter. Key Thai gateways like Phuket and U-Tapao are expected to facilitate this upturn.

 

While Vietnam's attractions in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc are gaining popularity, Phuket continues to lead with its extensive infrastructure, varied hotel options, and wellness offerings.

 

By July 20, Russian arrivals in Thailand had reached 1.08 million, making it the kingdom’s largest long-haul market and the fourth-largest overall for foreign visitors. Thailand is consistently ranked among the top five destinations for Russian travellers, capturing 15% of the total Russian tourist market in 2024, nearly reaching the peak seen in 2013.

 

The TAT ambitiously aims for 2 million Russian arrivals this year, yet they intend to gauge the winter travel trends before celebrating success.

 

Additionally, Russian tourists are expanding their horizons beyond the typical beach holidays. While Phuket remains a staple, destinations like Krabi, Phang Nga, and mountain locales such as Chiang Mai are drawing attention, especially among those staying for extended periods.

 

“Thailand’s unique mix of hospitality, culture, wellness facilities, and family-friendly luxury keeps Russians coming back,” Kanchana added.

 

With packages catering to diverse interests and reliable luxury offerings, Thailand continues to entice Russian tourists, converting threats and challenges into opportunities, with each visitor contributing significantly to the local economy. This momentum is anticipated to continue, reinforcing Thailand’s status as a premier travel destination.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-23

 

image.gif

 

image.png

not another 'top' poll. im starting a new one. 'more Russians pee in the sea than any other nation ' !

  • Popular Post

Way too many Russians in Pattaya and Phuket. Many of them are not "quality tourists"!

 

Thailand has become a safe heaven for criminals and fugitives from all over the world. Enough is enough.

 

Stricter visa policy is required!

 

 

Stop Visa Free Entry for Citizens of Russia, Kazakhsatan, China, etc.jpg

  • Popular Post
48 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Yeah the war isn't over yet and plenty of Russians reaching call-up age.

 

The Kremlin increased the maximum draft age from 28 to 30, but also increased the reservist call-up age from 65 to 70. We don't see too many 'pensioners' in the immigration lines, but the hike on the mandatory 'front-line' draft age is probably fuelling the surge. That, and it's probably getting a bit difficult or expensive to fund ways of avoiding call up, despite it being a 12-month tour of duty.

 

I have worked with Russians on offshore projects worldwide, with most of them living in third countries other than Thailand. The ones I feel for are those of conscription age with young families, who have to avoid going back to Russia lest they receive the call-up papers that apparently prohibits them from leaving. They frequently need to change their family 'home' as they exhaust local immigration rules, and end up juggling the offshore life with the extra stress of safely relocating their family while at work.

40 minutes ago, Karma80 said:

Phuketbirsk has transitioned to a hub of Russian money laundering, tax evasion and foreign owned businesses in disguise.

 

OMG, how disgusting! I will avoid places like Phuket and Pattaya, as well as Samui and Phangan by all means.

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, Aleksey75 said:

Why are they so happy with welcoming orcs? 

Because not every country is full of  brainwashed morons

Are Thai authorities looking the other way regarding visa overstays? If not, how can they avoid being drafted with a trip to Thailand?

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

The Kremlin increased the maximum draft age from 28 to 30, but also increased the reservist call-up age from 65 to 70. We don't see too many 'pensioners' in the immigration lines, but the hike on the mandatory 'front-line' draft age is probably fuelling the surge. That, and it's probably getting a bit difficult or expensive to fund ways of avoiding call up, despite it being a 12-month tour of duty.

 

I have worked with Russians on offshore projects worldwide, with most of them living in third countries other than Thailand. The ones I feel for are those of conscription age with young families, who have to avoid going back to Russia lest they receive the call-up papers that apparently prohibits them from leaving. They frequently need to change their family 'home' as they exhaust local immigration rules, and end up juggling the offshore life with the extra stress of safely relocating their family while at work.

It would be fantastic if some of the pensioners here went to Ukraine. See how the liked War when it's up close.

  • Popular Post
7 minutes ago, davb said:

Are Thai authorities looking the other way regarding visa overstays? If not, how can they avoid being drafted with a trip to Thailand?

Russians doesnt need to be drafted, they're winning, it's Ukraine that is low on troops and dragging young men off the streets to fight/die

  • Popular Post
27 minutes ago, davb said:

Are Thai authorities looking the other way regarding visa overstays? If not, how can they avoid being drafted with a trip to Thailand?

 

If a draft notice is issued while the recipient is in Russia, they are automatically blocked from departing Russia. If the draft notice is issued while they are overseas and not in Russia, it cannot be enforced.

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