Russian Men Find Work in Pattaya Nightlife Amid War Fears

Russian Men Turn to Pattaya Nightlife as War and Draft Fears Drive Them Abroad

Young Russian men working in Pattaya’s nightlife district say fears of military mobilisation helped push them to leave home for Thailand. Sam, 23, from Moscow and Ilya, 25, from St Petersburg, are among those working at a Walking Street club rather than returning to Russia. Sam, who performs as a pole dancer, said people his age fear being sent to fight and that he has already lost friends and relatives during the war. Ilya works six nights a week and said the freedom and earning opportunities available in Pattaya make returning home increasingly unattractive. Their experiences form part of a wider movement of Russians relocating to Thailand since the invasion of Ukraine and amid continuing concerns over military recruitment.