I was out and about roaming around Walking Street last night and saw a group of Russians in a semi-circle. I thought it was odd as usually you will see various nationalities watching something going on. Anyway, I took a look and this is what I saw in front of Rasputin's:

He even had his guitar case open and collected cash.

And while walking past that big Hot Tuna place with the live band, it looked like they had a Russian babe singing. I am not sure if she just hopped on stage for a bit of fun or if she was part of the act but when I went by there later, the band appeared to be playing some Russian tune.

While standing in line waiting for the Baht Bus, earlier in the day, I overheard some guy complaining about the Russians taking up too much space and therefore making it harder to get a seat.

Like them or not, it looks like they are here to stay and will inject money into the economy. 7-11 must be seeing its liquor sales going through the roof.

Oh, you mean the "Da-Da" baht bus queue, now world famous.

"Like them or not, it looks like they are here to stay and will inject money into the economy. 7-11 must be seeing its liquor sales going through the roof"

Right on, selling lots of Vodka to Russians instead of that cheap Thong stuff to other foreigners.

"Like them or not, it looks like they are here to stay and will inject money into the economy. 7-11 must be seeing its liquor sales going through the roof"

Right on, selling lots of Vodka to Russians instead of that cheap Thong stuff to other foreigners.

Too late. The Russkies have discovered the cheap Thai whiskey.

"Like them or not, it looks like they are here to stay and will inject money into the economy. 7-11 must be seeing its liquor sales going through the roof"

Right on, selling lots of Vodka to Russians instead of that cheap Thong stuff to other foreigners.

Too late. The Russkies have discovered the cheap Thai whiskey.

No wonder they too act strange.

Check out the Walking Street area Friendship market every night. Line of Russkies buying cheap booze. Bless their hearts.

Check out the Walking Street area Friendship market every night. Line of Russkies buying cheap booze. Bless their hearts.

They like lining up on the street, it's in the their soul.

I remember Moscow 1975, they were lining up everywhere for anything.

The National Assembly is presently considering a bill to change the name of Pattaya to St. Pattayasburg in recognition of the changing demographics in the greater Pattaya area, and in recognition of the increasing difficultly to find a single person speaking English in Pattaya (or should I say St. Pattayasburg).

The National Assembly is presently considering a bill to change the name of Pattaya to St. Pattayasburg in recognition of the changing demographics in the greater Pattaya area, and in recognition of the increasing difficultly to find a single person speaking English in Pattaya (or should I say St. Pattayasburg).

Sounds like a good place to move from.

Check out the Walking Street area Friendship market every night. Line of Russkies buying cheap booze. Bless their hearts.

Yep. Strolled by there last night and they were picking up supplies for the evening's activities.

I'm sure that Immigration will be along to check the buskers' work permits soon.

I'm sure that Immigration will be along to check the buskers' work permits soon.

He was probably sitting in for a couple of songs. Some enterprising Thai boys sing Russian songs there.

Which brings up an interesting question:

Has anyone ever seen a Russian doing a 90 day check at Jomtien Immigration ?

I had a Russian waitress serve me at an Italian restaurant.

They can get a work permit for jobs like that?

Oh, you mean the "Da-Da" baht bus queue, now world famous.

The thais referring to them as farang kapong(canned farangs), same as pla kapong

Which brings up an interesting question:

Has anyone ever seen a Russian doing a 90 day check at Jomtien Immigration ?

I have but definitely in lesser numbers than you'd expect.

I think that Russians get a 3 month visa easily, possibly even on arrival, and many then seem to leave thus bypassing the reporting requirement.

The Russian street on Pratumnak, soi2 I think, the one that runs to Pataya Park, there is a Russian girl running a Phamacy

Which brings up an interesting question:

Has anyone ever seen a Russian doing a 90 day check at Jomtien Immigration ?

In general it would be interesting to know under what favorable conditions they come here in the first place. Like: U-Tapao Airport arraival instead of Swampi like everyone else.

Somebody might want to act as Sherlock Holmes. (Dating a russian waitress in an italian pizza joint, or if having any friends in Russia, asking them to go to the nearest travel-agency in Moscow and ask for conditions for a Pattaya-Holiday.)

After having found out: Post the results right here. Be assured, everyone (exept for russian-nationals) would be intersted in the "inner-workings" between russian tourists and Thai-Immigration.

Cheers.

Cash Money Rules....

Most Russians here are on package tours everything included ,they have very little actuall cash to spend.

you mean a leg was busking? I dont see the russian

Apparently I was wrong and it's just 30 days:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Thailand

But maybe there is some special arrangement for Utapao. I was certain that I had read some official statement somewhere about Russians having 90 days.

There numbers are ever growing and pardon me for my positive spin:

they are a hell of a lot happier and firendly then Russians i met else where years ago.