Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned its citizens to avoid travelling to Thailand if they believe they could face criminal prosecution by US authorities, citing the risk of arrest and extradition under agreements between Bangkok and Washington.

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The warning, issued on Friday, 12 June, advises Russian nationals who have any reason to suspect they may be subject to US criminal proceedings to refrain from travelling to Thailand altogether. The ministry also cautioned against transiting through Thai airports.

According to The Moscow Times, the warning relates to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and Thailand. The advisory comes in the same week that Russian hacker suspect Denis Obrezkov appeared before a US court after being arrested in Thailand in November last year.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed that Washington has intensified its use of what it described as a punitive justice system since Russia launched its full-scale military operation in Ukraine four years ago.

In its statement, the ministry warned that Russian citizens could become targets “without prior knowledge” due to extensive US sanctions imposed on individuals and legal entities. It also alleged that US intelligence agencies often disregard Thai authorities when conducting sting operations aimed at Russian nationals.

The ministry described Thailand as one of the main locations where Washington pursues Russian citizens abroad, despite the country’s popularity among Russian tourists. It stated that the “friendly country”, which attracts large numbers of Russian visitors each year, remains a key destination for such operations.

However, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said no Russian tour operators or clients have been arrested while conducting tours in Thailand.

ATOR added that Russian citizens who are aware they may face legal action from third countries because of their activities would be wise to follow the Foreign Ministry’s advice.

The warning could have some impact on Thailand’s tourism sector. More than 1.8 million Russian visitors travel to Thailand annually, making Russia one of the country’s important tourism source markets.

Manager Online reported that as of now, there has been no public response from Thai authorities regarding the advisory. Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the warning affects Russian travel demand to Thailand in the coming months.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 16 June 2026

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About time to throw the Ruskies in jail...Because? well, just because...

42 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

About time to throw the Ruskies in jail...Because? well, just because...

The UK nationals present a greater likelihood of lawlessness. What then?

Okay. Now we know the Russian Embassy finally read the Memo that Anutin is cracking down on scams, crimes, and banking shenanigans used by criminal networks.

Just be like 99.9% of the other Russians with families that wanted to escape the War Nonsense and raise a family in an affordable, safe, and warm climate.

Pretty sure those who wanted , needed or could afford to leave for Thailand would have done so a few years ago .

Wow, a dream come true.

Quietness in Pattaya maybe!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The warning, issued on Friday, 12 June, advises Russian nationals who have any reason to suspect they may be subject to US criminal proceedings to refrain from travelling to Thailand altogether. The ministry also cautioned against transiting through Thai airports.

In any case, Thailand is better off without them. I doubt it would even put a dent in the overall number of Russian tourists.

Many countries have extradition agreements with the USA. The article gives one example but it doesn't mean dozens of extraditions have taken place.

Perhaps the Russians are trying to persuade their citizens to take a break in Ukraine instead.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The ministry described Thailand as one of the main locations where Washington pursues Russian citizens abroad, despite the country’s popularity among Russian tourists. It stated that the “friendly country”, which attracts large numbers of Russian visitors each year, remains a key destination for such operations.

The Russian Foreign ministry issuing such a warning (there can't be many Russians it affects) raises my eyebrows and makes me wonder - Who fell victim to arrest/extradition? ... must be someone important !!

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

The UK nationals present a greater likelihood of lawlessness. What then?

Think you're maybe confused with the level of lawlessness !

58 minutes ago, expat_4_life said:

The Russian Foreign ministry issuing such a warning (there can't be many Russians it affects) raises my eyebrows and makes me wonder - Who fell victim to arrest/extradition? ... must be someone important !!

This guy is mentioned in the OP.

“The advisory comes in the same week that Russian hacker suspect Denis Obrezkov appeared before a US court after being arrested in Thailand in November last year.”

There are 1,000s over here all dodging the draft and I can’t blame them

Best idea from the Russian Foreign Ministry in a long time!

I love it!

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

Many countries have extradition agreements with the US

116 countries have bilateral or multilateral treaties to facilitate these arrests and transfers.

Thailand holds specific bilateral extradition treaties with 14 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, and South Korea.

Russians are not being singled out by Thailand.

Send Putin to Thailand 😄

Shouldn’t Thailand be warning its own citizens about Russians travel to Thailand? I haven’t read many good things about their stay here.

There are crooks, foreign mafia, gang members, etc., from many countries living in Thailand. Maybe Russia's Ministry was given a list of Russians the US is seeking/planning to extradite from Thailand (who are already here) and this was Moscow's way of telling them to head for the hills.

The warning is regarding just Russians that have done something harmful to USA.

Meaning maybe 0.1% of Russians coming to Thailand.

So you won't see much difference in their arrivals here

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Thailand holds specific bilateral extradition treaties with 14 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, and South Korea.

It would be interesting to see how many extraditions from Thailand have taken place to those countries in recent years. There is the Uyghur case sent back to China a few years ago. Then there was the Thai-Indian banker who fled to Canada but was eventually sent back to Thailand. Those are two high profile cases. But only ones that come to mind.

I have been told by Russians that as many as 90% of their population earning over $75,000 a year are involved in crime. There are likely and enormous number of Russian criminals in Thailand and it's very likely that the Russian government knows that and wants to avoid egg on their faces, it's quite obvious they have very little regard for their own citizens.

4 hours ago, kenconagasaki said:

Think you're maybe confused with the level of lawlessness !

The guy is confused full stop, one of those troll things probably. Someone tell them it’s not UK nationals trying to eradicate another country… for a change.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I have been told by Russians that as many as 90% of their population earning over $75,000 a year are involved in crime. There are likely and enormous number of Russian criminals in Thailand and it's very likely that the Russian government knows that and wants to avoid egg on their faces, it's quite obvious they have very little regard for their own citizens.

Yeah, this. They could not give a monkey’s about their people… over one million already through the meat grinder in Ukraine. Likely all about face as you say. Suits me though if they would just all FO out of Thai… perhaps the plethora of Chinese boiler room crooks will follow them.

3 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

It would be interesting to see how many extraditions from Thailand have taken place to those countries in recent years. There is the Uyghur case sent back to China a few years ago. Then there was the Thai-Indian banker who fled to Canada but was eventually sent back to Thailand. Those are two high profile cases. But only ones that come to mind.

What crime did the Uyghurs commit? Aren't Thailand obliged to help refugees?

Russians should have no problems in Thailand unless they break the law.

Yes, dear Ruski friends, stay home... thanks a lot🙏

The US trial timing a bit awkward for Anutin. He’s currently in Russia looking to secure energy and food deals with Russia. Also looking to make banking and travel easier for Russians coming to Thailand. Unfortunately, if anything, expect more Russians, not less. 😪

However, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said no Russian tour operators or clients have been arrested while conducting tours in Thailand.

So they are admitting that they use Russian tour operators!!!

6 hours ago, Rinato said:

The warning is regarding just Russians that have done something harmful to USA.

Meaning maybe 0.1% of Russians coming to Thailand.

So you won't see much difference in their arrivals here

Absolutely not true. The USA is king of setting people up. Viktor Bout never did harm to any Americans. Yet he was extradited anyway. 35 years but only did ? before a prisoner exchange.

Comrades, please listen to your government and stay away.

7 hours ago, Rinato said:

The warning is regarding just Russians that have done something harmful to USA.

Meaning maybe 0.1% of Russians coming to Thailand.

So you won't see much difference in their arrivals here

That would be an incredibly high number of Russians residing in Thailand having done something harmful to the USA. Unless my maths are off, that equates to one in every 1,000 up to no good to the detriment of the USA. Really?

Not that I give a toss either way.