Re gogos in Pattaya, I wandered in one on walking street staffed by russkis and was asked for 300 baht for a bottle of beer

at todays rates about £6 !!! nuff said

Value for money if you like gorgeous blonde girls.

My Thai lady is a tourist agent in Phuket and she has mentioned they are not liked by Thai's, poor tippers!!

So judging by that comment, Thais only like big tippers? That's sad in a country known as LOS, isn't it?

Personally I'm not into the tipping culture. I'm not interested in buying friendship, smiles or service. It gets to the point where Thais don't appreciate tips any more - they expect them. The fact that they expect them makes me not want to tip them - especially if they're hovering around waiting for the change plate in a restaurant or bar.

I'll side with the Russians on this one. Money doesn't grow on trees. I'll spend it where it is genuinely appreciated, not to make me one of the people who Thais like.

I think we can still have the russians and the sex pats.Whoever spends the money i guess

As a steadfast customer of a certain gogo bar in Jomtien I can

attest that the russians ARE the sexpats there..

I'm referring to the large volume of Russian tourists, mainly families and couples. These so called "sexpat" Russians you see in Jomtien - are they older retired men or younger ones who work here to service the Russian businesses?

I've seen all kinds. Many young ones on motorbikes...families of course...and even middle aged couples in the gogo.

Most having fun just like anyone else here. Not so many older single retired men though.

.

I wonder back in the 70's or 80's if someone was asking if 'Westernizing' (OR..Germanizing, Britishizing, or Americanizing) of Pattaya was a good thing or not? i am a Westerner who grew up with the "Cold War" and wonder if the post WWII generation of Westerners cannot give up their stereotype of people from the former Soviet Union and still carry their negative feelings left from the propaganda that they grew up with as a child???? I moved here 6 years ago (because of job) and there were very few Russian visiting Pattaya so i have also witnessed the boom of numbers. If it wasn't for the tourists being 80% (my estimate) Russians, many hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist sights would be hurting. I find it refreshing to see families and couples visiting Pattaya other than just the single horny male tourist. True, the mannerisms of most Russians are a bit abbrasive...cold...'"different" but one has to understand that every culture is different and the fact that the older generation grew up under communism would make them less 'people friendly" The younger generation is more 'worldly" than their parents and are speaking the internnational language of English. Yes, there have been some rude (according to my upbringing) actions of some Russians that i have runned into (such as Russian men at the fitness center always wanting to 'butt in" my use of a weight machine; or not waiting their turn to get on a baht bus) but i just roll my eyes thinking they are just clueless to what is being polite. I remember when I first went overseas, some of the mistakes I made... not standing in a straight 'cue' when waiting for a bus in London; eating with my left hand in Arabia; not getting out of my seat when an elderly lady entered a Skytrain in Bangkok; not properly greeting the elders at a dinner in Turkey...the list goes on. Yes, there are many Russians visiting Thailand, but i do not think they are "taking over the city" -- I still see American fast food restaurant chains/ European clothing chains/ British mega stores being the major international businesses here; not a Volga or Moscow shopping complex.

I just read in one of the pattaya rags that the new King Power shopping mega center is oriented towards Russians and Chinese. And it looks to be a HUGE store....

I read that as well and was surprised that it was built to cater for the Chinese but not at all surprised that is was for the Russians. The article also mentioned U tapao Airport - if you've been there recently you would notice that a bus load of Russians from pattaya seems to turn up there every 15 mins. This must be good for tourism.

All the tourist attractions (like underwater world) I think would be on there asses by now if the Russians weren't here, so that's a positive.

They just don't like mixing with other nationalities and come across (although I don't think it's intentional) as rude people but I suppose this is an affect of years of communism and suppression.

They've come a long way from what I remember on the news as a kid - queuing up for 30 minutes every morning for an egg and half a loaf.

Saw this happen in Cyprus. Its definitely not a good thing.

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If you are driving and get forced out of your lane by a van or bus, odds are that it was one of two companies, Sayama or Pegas, which are the exclusive vendors for the "eastern European community" here in Pattaya

They push in line at Immigration, at 7- 11, and everywhere else, so it's no surprise that their Thai employees soon pick up their cultural norms

They push in line at Immigration, at 7- 11, and everywhere else, so it's no surprise that their Thai employees soon pick up their cultural norms

Do they push in, or attempt to push in? That's up to you to decide. For me they don't push in simply because I don't allow it.

It's hilarious to see my pint sized wife shoving them back when they attempt to push in. She's not having a bar of it.

They push in line at Immigration, at 7- 11, and everywhere else, so it's no surprise that their Thai employees soon pick up their cultural norms

It's hilarious to see my pint sized wife shoving them back when they attempt to push in. She's not having a bar of it.

How many times would you like to repeat that Any way your wife is right but it is easy acting like that when she has a giant of a husband next to her.

The Russians probaly think you are Russian.

Jing i dont know what the Russians think you are

...

Jing i dont know what the Russians think you are

Why is that so funny?

...

Jing i dont know what the Russians think you are

Why is that so funny?

i dunno when you write i see a image of a skinny tallish ? a little bit awkward bit of hair on head outgoing sarcastic pink shirted person

i probaly wrong please dont destroy my imagine

...

Jing i dont know what the Russians think you are

Why is that so funny?

i dunno when you write i see a image of a skinny tallish ? a little bit awkward bit of hair on head outgoing sarcastic pink shirted person

i probaly wrong please dont destroy my imagine

You forgot the beard and skirt.

How many times would you like to repeat that Any way your wife is right but it is easy acting like that when she has a giant of a husband next to her.

The Russians probaly think you are Russian.

Yes, the Russians probably do think I am Russian. No, this happens when she's alone at the markets (correction: I haven't seen it - she tells me about it) - she got sick and tired of Russians trying to bump her out of the way and stands her ground.

Cant argue with that.She is right to.

Cant argue with that.She is right to.

That shows you how much respect they've got for (small) Asians. I wish I could be there to witness it first hand. A 40kg lady pushing a Russian heifer out of the way. To a 40kg lady they'd all seem like giants.

It happened once to me ordering food at a food court about 5 years ago. I was too slow and this Russian b*t*** pushed right in front of me to order. Ironically I was ordering Russian food. That's the very last time it happened.

Yes they can be very rude.I guess it is just there nature,

I don't like when they make comments in Russian directed at my girl

i don't know what they are saying but i doubt it is anything nice

They should not be allowed to enter the Kingdom without any knowledge of how to behave in a foreign country.

Yes they can be very rude.I guess it is just there nature,

I don't like when they make comments in Russian directed at my girl

i don't know what they are saying but i doubt it is anything nice

i don't know what your girl looks like but i doubt she looks nice

If you are driving and get forced out of your lane by a van or bus, odds are that it was one of two companies, Sayama or Pegas, which are the exclusive vendors for the "eastern European community" here in Pattaya

They push in line at Immigration, at 7- 11, and everywhere else, so it's no surprise that their Thai employees soon pick up their cultural norms

perhaps the Thai drivers of these vans and buses were trained in Russia?

Yes they can be very rude.I guess it is just there nature,

I don't like when they make comments in Russian directed at my girl

i don't know what they are saying but i doubt it is anything nice

i don't know what your girl looks like but i doubt she looks nice

No stunning should be the word.20 year old white skinned very sexy.For the wages i am paying for her i would not accept anything less.

They should not be allowed to enter the Kingdom without any knowledge of how to behave in a foreign country.

If Thai Immigration applied that rule it would reduce the falang population of Pattaya by at least 50%!

And reduce the falang population of Soi Buakhao by 90%!!!

I lived in Jomtien for three months in 2010 and another seven months in 2011-12. I keep hearing all these stories about Russians but I never had a single problem with any Russian there. Most of them seemed to be there with their wives/girlfriends/families and just wanted to have a nice vacation.

I lived in Jomtien for three months in 2010 and another seven months in 2011-12. I keep hearing all these stories about Russians but I never had a single problem with any Russian there. Most of them seemed to be there with their wives/girlfriends/families and just wanted to have a nice vacation.

Glad to hear it. A little surprising though if you were a regular baht bus rider though.

I lived in Jomtien for three months in 2010 and another seven months in 2011-12. I keep hearing all these stories about Russians but I never had a single problem with any Russian there. Most of them seemed to be there with their wives/girlfriends/families and just wanted to have a nice vacation.

Glad to hear it. A little surprising though if you were a regular baht bus rider though.

I used the baht buses quite often. Jomtien into Pattaya and back (from the corner of Pattaya Tai and Sai Song). Most of the problems I saw were the thieving baht-bus drivers cheating the Russians.

Glad to hear it. A little surprising though if you were a regular baht bus rider though.

So that would be the key - stay off baht buses if Russians are too much to bear. Staying away from the (Russian) Food Court at Central could help too.

Yes they can be very rude.I guess it is just there nature,

I don't like when they make comments in Russian directed at my girl

i don't know what they are saying but i doubt it is anything nice

i don't know what your girl looks like but i doubt she looks nice

No stunning should be the word.20 year old white skinned very sexy.For the wages i am paying for her i would not accept anything less.

if she looks stunning then it is highly likely the Russians made nice comments. why would they say something derogatory when they see a stunning looking girl?

Because i am 51 and she is 20 maybe it was directed at me

I lived in Jomtien for three months in 2010 and another seven months in 2011-12. I keep hearing all these stories about Russians but I never had a single problem with any Russian there. Most of them seemed to be there with their wives/girlfriends/families and just wanted to have a nice vacation.

That has been my experience as well.

Being Russian myself, I had to respond to this post. It is clear that the relative insulation of Russians from the global financial crisis as well as the revolution in Egypt (one of Russia's former, fav vacation spots) has led to an unprecedented exodus of Russian migrants and short-term/long-term vacationers.

Overall, I see it as a good thing. Primarily because it boosts the municipal economy, resulting in more money for public improvements, and puts Baht into the pockets of local business owners (both Thai and Farang.)

The main negative would be increase in property prices and other goods/services due to sudden spikes in demand.

As far as the negative experiences folks have shared with "busloads of Russians," i agree wholeheartedly. Russian societal norms allow for much more rudeness to strangers and outwards displays of animosity and aggression than do most Western societies. Conversely, Russians tend to be more loyal and forthcoming to people in their inner circles than is typical of the average Westerner.

As with everything, there are pros and cons, but I think everyone agrees we must be realistic: The Russians are here to stay. And if we're going to be realistic, we might as well be optimistic. Every polity which experiences an influx of foreigners, tends to react negatively at first. But with time, the new-comers adapt to the local norms, and the locals realize some gain from the newcomers. Already, I notice that Russians who live in Thailand are FAR friendlier and engaging than the average Russian I meet on the streets of St. Petersburg (where I am from). Similarly, I hope that Thais and Farang alike will be able to tap into the rich history and culture of a people who have repeatedly pushed the envelope in literature, poetry, theater, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

That pasty, fat, short-haired Russian wearing a "Chang Beer" T-shirt, screaming a drunken, Russian folk song on the Song Tao, could easily be a nuclear physicist (or have some other form of higher education.) He just chooses to express himself in a way that's different from more reserved, Westerners and Thais around him.

Keep in mind, that Russians were not even ABLE TO EASILY TRAVEL until 1991, and most of them couldn't even think of affording it until a decade ago, when Russia was flush with their oil windfall. In that sense, Russian society is a fascinating mix of the old and new. I encourage the next person who is annoyed by a guild of vodka-soaked Cossacks to learn a few words in Russian and attempt to penetrate their circle. You may be surprised at how loyal and warm they may be after they have accepted you.

^Very well said, thankyou.

^^ I have to commend Kirill on a very good post. I lived in Russia for 5 years (just at the time of the fall of the USSR), used to speak Russian near fluently, had stunning Russian gf, etc... I still do not like the very crude manners exhibited by Russians, but it's really true, if you speak to them a bit in Russian, they are your new best friends. And, socially, Russian are a lot of fun once you break through that gruff, austere exterior.

Now, I know, not every expat in Thailand can do that, nor will ever do that. And so, how do you co-exist with this 'alien' force in Pattaya, and more and more, in Phuket as well? I'm not sure, because there really is no way to change them to be more socially acceptable to western sensibilities, at least not in the short term. English is difficult for them, and their manners were shaped by generations under an isolated socialist system. Although, I have met several new generation Russians abroad who are cultured, mannered, etc., in the western sense....

I have a feeling this will be a problem in Pattaya for some time to come, as I don't think the western expats feel they should make an effort to understand Russians, (nor should they I suppose). Having said that, if it becomes intolerable, I'm not sure where the expats would go as an alternative for the Pattaya lifestyle.

I guess you're stuck with it guys...