Foreign Mafia Running Pattaya

[Songhua]

No, no, no. CLEARLY shows the ignorance and myopic ethnocentristic views of the newbie writer who either has no clue what he is writing about and is filtering accounts through his preconceived idea of how things "are". CORRECTLY stated, it should read:

"Most prostitutes in Pattaya are not working against her or his will and that the decision to work in the red-light district is typically encouraged by friends and family.

Imagine reading something like this somewhere in Europe, or looking at it at TV. - Millions of girls in Thailand work as bar ladies, on their own free will.. and they like it.

Generally, I noticed.. that people who don't live in Thailand have no idea what 'thai hookers' are all about. The picture that comes to their mind when you mention term 'hooker' is some filthy hidden underground brothel fuc_k knows where, where girls are abused on daily basis and forced to do their job. Or .. Amsterdam. And they come here with this misconception.

If this pretend-to-be-journalist actually explored Thailand bar girl scene he would know what they're all about, instead of writing this crap.. or maybe it's not acceptable for his audience to read the truth.

Not the first and won't be the last. Come in at lunchtime and do a breakfast review.

[wealth]

What about the mysterious "black chocolate bar"? Investment gone wrong for "blacks"? Are they restricted to some area in Bangkok only?

Well, what most of them doing is no secret. Funny, the author picked that one. Apart from the (blood)diamonds, drugs, scams and whatsoever it seems as if the Russians are set to face competition and blackmailing.

This article was probably a setup?

Who is patronizing them anyway?

This is your homework now.

Bit concerned that the Russians are getting angry.

What a mess Thailand has become, and all for the love of money and greed. Now the blacks are brave to run the show for their patrons.

Seems to become the last chapter in history books.

Feel sorry for the honest black people here.

Who was it to invest in diamond mining and other strange stuff?

[unanimosity]

Pattaya is a disgusting toilet. I honestly have no idea why anyone besides a creepy sex tourist would want to visit there.

What an incredibly narrow minded and ignorant statement. There are many other things to do in the Pattaya area rather than visiting bars and hookers and there are many Expats that are happily married, with families who like living in the area. I know because I am one of them.

I am not allowed to post a link, but try Googling 50 things to do in Pattaya you might just be surprised.

I think Thomas has led a very sheltered life, and probably hails from the Bible Belt.

yea anybody who hates Pattaya must be from the bible belt. LOL. Are you seriously this ignorant? Pattaya is a disgusting sewage pit. Anybody raising children around there needs their head examined

Oh not so fast there laddy, they do have jet skiis you know.

[robert888d]

The Russians will all be booted out within five years and then another Nationality will probably take over The Chinese !

[Hardie]

Regardless of how crappy the journalism or inaccurate the details or 'typically American' the attitude, Pattaya is pretty disgusting to anyone who cares about healthy lifestyles and human dignity. How many of you would want your daughters walking its miracle mile every night? Or starring in Thai internet porn? Or grinning from the photos of Thai Visa's 'love link' advertisements? I didn't think so.

[lemoncake]

Regardless of how crappy the journalism or inaccurate the details or 'typically American' the attitude, Pattaya is pretty disgusting to anyone who cares about healthy lifestyles and human dignity. How many of you would want your daughters walking its miracle mile every night? Or starring in Thai internet porn? Or grinning from the photos of Thai Visa's 'love link' advertisements? I didn't think so.

and have you been to Pattaya?

Lets play a game where you name locations which you have visited, the only rule is can not mention soi 6, walking street, or anything up to 3 road.

Game on, lets hear it

[schondie]

Maybe we need The Hoff instead of the Huff to sort this stuff out.

[nikkoid66]

Why always speaking about sex trade and prostitution?

The Russians are buying Pattaya, but not only the sex businesses, but the restaurants, the transportation (Pegasus buses) the massages, the souvenirs etc...

They also buy a LOT of condo and boost the real estate market.

Is this money clean? Well not sure, but Putine has decided to have a serious overlook about taxes and a lot of Russians are investing their hidden money in Thailand to be safe an avoid their new government regulations.

Now the problem with Russians is that they have a Mafia way of thinking. A Russian tour operator will fret a Russian Airline then a Russian bus to drive them in a Russian Hotel, eating in Russian restaurants, and buying souvenirs in a Russian owned shop.

The Thais are making almost no money in that system. The Russians do not even bother to translate the menus in Thais... Pattaya and Phukets are becoming Russian towns, managed in a Russian way.

Thais will not eat this for long... they are taking advantage of Russian money but as soon as it will become a real problem for the local economy, Russians will soon understand why Thailand is the only Asian country in the the Issan region to never been colonized.

[simple1]

My hunch is that the Russians are good earners and making money for the Thais- and are therefore tolerated. Just like the Nigerians that flood lower Sukumvit Road in Bangkok are kicking money up stairs.

Think about it, the Thais allow the Ruskies to operate, take a percentage and everybody is happy. If the Ruskies get out of hand, the Thais come down hard, look good busting the foreigners -suffer no fall out from stepping on Thai mafia toes- and the cycle begins anew.

I really doubt that the Russians are running Pattaya

Agree, the Russians speakers do not run Pattaya. I would suggest that Russians involved with crime would primarily be amongst their own nationals, same as other Western nationality groups, with kickbacks to RTP when necessary. A lot of money coming in from Russia speakers for development projects, so Pattaya City Council & provincial government would also be involved.

[lemoncake]

Why always speaking about sex trade and prostitution?

The Russians are buying Pattaya, but not only the sex businesses, but the restaurants, the transportation (Pegasus buses) the massages, the souvenirs etc...

They also buy a LOT of condo and boost the real estate market.

Is this money clean? Well not sure, but Putine has decided to have a serious overlook about taxes and a lot of Russians are investing their hidden money in Thailand to be safe an avoid their new government regulations.

Now the problem with Russians is that they have a Mafia way of thinking. A Russian tour operator will fret a Russian Airline then a Russian bus to drive them in a Russian Hotel, eating in Russian restaurants, and buying souvenirs in a Russian owned shop.

The Thais are making almost no money in that system. The Russians do not even bother to translate the menus in Thais... Pattaya and Phukets are becoming Russian towns, managed in a Russian way.

Thais will not eat this for long... they are taking advantage of Russian money but as soon as it will become a real problem for the local economy, Russians will soon understand why Thailand is the only Asian country in the the Issan region to never been colonized.

The Russians are NOT buying Pattaya. People please stop with this nonsense.

Just because there are many Russian tourists, it does not mean they are buying everything.

A vast majority of them, come from small towns and do not have enough money to buy a drink.

They come on a package tours.

Very few have money to invest, ,may be 1%-2% of the total numbers who come to visit.

[visionchaser45]

"Russians have taken over some of the legal sex club businesses in Pattaya, and that is of growing concern to Thai authorities." As it should. I have watched the place deteriorate over the last decade. It has become "Westernized" to such an extent that I even see white girls working.

"Adding to the complexity, Friedman said, is the fact that not every prostitute in Pattaya is working against her or his will and that the decision to work in the red-light district is sometimes accepted by friends and family." This certainly doesn't "add to the complexity" because this used to be the normal bar girl story. Sure, many of the girls were pressured into working with farang by family members, but the majority used to do it for this reason:

"In Southeast Asia and Thailand, there's more of an acceptance of it, as long as the money is going back to the family," he said. "If the girl were to basically go into the brothel industry and have the money for herself, then that goes against her karma, that would be negative merit, but if the money is going to support the family, it would be perceived as OK."

The author should really get his information from someone other than a New York taxi driver. My experience is that you never "buy" a girl in Pattaya, although that might have changed due to Western Mafia influences. Girls can typically choose to go with a guy, or not. They also don't have to do "whatever you want." That is what has always made Pattaya such a great place. You could always enjoy the fantasy of a GFE and not feel too dirty. I believe the Western Mafia influence has brought the "dirty" feeling to Pattaya.

[lemoncake]

My hunch is that the Russians are good earners and making money for the Thais- and are therefore tolerated. Just like the Nigerians that flood lower Sukumvit Road in Bangkok are kicking money up stairs.

Think about it, the Thais allow the Ruskies to operate, take a percentage and everybody is happy. If the Ruskies get out of hand, the Thais come down hard, look good busting the foreigners -suffer no fall out from stepping on Thai mafia toes- and the cycle begins anew.

I really doubt that the Russians are running Pattaya

Agree, the Russians speakers do not run Pattaya. I would suggest that Russians involved with crime would primarily be amongst their own nationals, same as other Western nationality groups, with kickbacks to RTP when necessary. A lot of money coming in from Russia speakers for development projects, so Pattaya City Council & provincial government would also be involved.

There are no Russian developers, Most developers are Israeli of Russian background.

The Russian gangsters, do not mix with anyone, but run their businesses very privately.

You may have seen them in the shops, or even spoke with them, but would never know, because the REAL gangsters are very well educated, smart and intelligent people, and nothing they do would ever give away their "private" life.

A large number if not most are ex KGB or high ranked military/police. Do you really think they would stand out in the crowd to attract any attention?!

[elliss]

At least you can walk around the area unlike many parts of America's crime rated areas

true ,

the innocent /stupid farlang fodder

will be on his way to issan , in record time.

true love is pang .

[aalek85th]

It is weird when you walk down the streets of Thailand and half of the restaurant/whatever signs are in Russian. It seems to me Russians have a tendency to do this.. to buy stuff in this manner.

Reason i'm saying this is not only Pattaya, but I've seen couple of other cities and even countries where Russian billboards are everywhere.. like.. Montenegro for example.

It's not like you can see Swiss/French/Whatever billboards.. or ads. Even if the owner of some restaurant might be Swiss, they're still internationally oriented. As opposed to the Russians who are clearly Russia only oriented. They are aware that less then 1 % of people can read cyrilic, and even if they can read the letters, they still don't know Russian words.

[lemoncake]

It is weird when you walk down the streets of Thailand and half of the restaurant/whatever signs are in Russian. It seems to me Russians have a tendency to do this.. to buy stuff in this manner.

Reason i'm saying this is not only Pattaya, but I've seen couple of other cities and even countries where Russian billboards are everywhere.. like.. Montenegro for example.

It's not like you can see Swiss/French/Whatever billboards.. or ads. Even if the owner of some restaurant might be Swiss, they're still internationally oriented. As opposed to the Russians who are clearly Russia only oriented. They are aware that less then 1 % of people can read cyrilic, and even if they can read the letters, they still don't know Russian words.

the signs are in Russian, because too many of them do not speak a word of English, while all other nationality's you mentioned do speak some

[bartender100]

Having lived in Pattaya on and off for years, I see little evidence that Russian mafia are starting to controlling the nightlife, most of the bars and gogo's don't even like them as customers.They may be running the Russian tour industry, and may even be supplying girls to that, but that's about it. The only Russian venues on WS have Russian girls working, not Thai

Never heard of the Chocolate Butterfly Bar, neither has Google

Errr ! would these Russian working girls be on some sort of an education visa, and how do they get them ?

I have tried to educate them but they want to much Baht

[simple1]

My hunch is that the Russians are good earners and making money for the Thais- and are therefore tolerated. Just like the Nigerians that flood lower Sukumvit Road in Bangkok are kicking money up stairs.

Think about it, the Thais allow the Ruskies to operate, take a percentage and everybody is happy. If the Ruskies get out of hand, the Thais come down hard, look good busting the foreigners -suffer no fall out from stepping on Thai mafia toes- and the cycle begins anew.

I really doubt that the Russians are running Pattaya

Agree, the Russians speakers do not run Pattaya. I would suggest that Russians involved with crime would primarily be amongst their own nationals, same as other Western nationality groups, with kickbacks to RTP when necessary. A lot of money coming in from Russia speakers for development projects, so Pattaya City Council & provincial government would also be involved.

There are no Russian developers, Most developers are Israeli of Russian background.

The Russian gangsters, do not mix with anyone, but run their businesses very privately.

You may have seen them in the shops, or even spoke with them, but would never know, because the REAL gangsters are very well educated, smart and intelligent people, and nothing they do would ever give away their "private" life.

A large number if not most are ex KGB or high ranked military/police. Do you really think they would stand out in the crowd to attract any attention?!

Yes, I should have said Russian investors in development companies. Russian money is being used for the major tourist attraction being built near Bang Saray. Yes their are some Israeli owners of development companies, but some new condo consortia development is also using Russian money

[lemoncake]

My hunch is that the Russians are good earners and making money for the Thais- and are therefore tolerated. Just like the Nigerians that flood lower Sukumvit Road in Bangkok are kicking money up stairs.

Think about it, the Thais allow the Ruskies to operate, take a percentage and everybody is happy. If the Ruskies get out of hand, the Thais come down hard, look good busting the foreigners -suffer no fall out from stepping on Thai mafia toes- and the cycle begins anew.

I really doubt that the Russians are running Pattaya

Agree, the Russians speakers do not run Pattaya. I would suggest that Russians involved with crime would primarily be amongst their own nationals, same as other Western nationality groups, with kickbacks to RTP when necessary. A lot of money coming in from Russia speakers for development projects, so Pattaya City Council & provincial government would also be involved.

There are no Russian developers, Most developers are Israeli of Russian background.

The Russian gangsters, do not mix with anyone, but run their businesses very privately.

You may have seen them in the shops, or even spoke with them, but would never know, because the REAL gangsters are very well educated, smart and intelligent people, and nothing they do would ever give away their "private" life.

A large number if not most are ex KGB or high ranked military/police. Do you really think they would stand out in the crowd to attract any attention?!

Russian money is being used for the major tourist attraction being built near Bang Saray. Yes their are some Israeli owners of development companies, but some new condo consortia development is also using Russian money

Please name a few

[simple1]

Raimon Land

Please name a few

e.g. Dusit Grand Park Condominium - don't know the actual percentage of investment money

[chiangmaikelly]

The mafia is thick in the air here. The violence level actually seems low for the level of mafia. It can only get worse. Who in Thai politics would have the massive cajones (very life threatening) to take on the mafia forces as was done in Sicily?

So, Jingthing you are a Pattaya expert. Where is the Chocolate Butterfly bar?

[lemoncake]

Raimon Land

Please name a few

e.g. Dusit Grand Park Condominium - don't know the actual percentage of investment money

who is the developer? or are you talking about the buyers?

I hope you do realize that the wages in Russia are pretty much the same as here, so majority are not rich people

[lemoncake]

Raimon Land

Please name a few

e.g. Dusit Grand Park Condominium - don't know the actual percentage of investment money

Raimon land is Russian owned?

[simple1]

Raimon Land

Please name a few

e.g. Dusit Grand Park Condominium - don't know the actual percentage of investment money

Raimon land is Russian owned?

No, I said Russian project investment money, From memory the prime project financier is a Thai bank

[lemoncake]

Raimon Land

Please name a few

e.g. Dusit Grand Park Condominium - don't know the actual percentage of investment money

Raimon land is Russian owned?

No, I said Russian project investment money, From memory the prime project financier is a Thai bank

Ok,, then how do you know Russian or Russians invested money in development?

I do not think you mean pre-sales

[nikkoid66]

Lemon cake, you seems to know everything about Pattaya. Are you Russian?

You haven't seen that all the south part of Walking Street is Russian operated?

And you never heard in the news that taxi blocked Phuket totally to protest against Russian competitions?

That close to Phuket, a village and all its population went in the streets to protests against Russian businesses?

Are you speaking with Thais about this problem?

Russians are taking business from the Thais... just wait an see. If the authorities do not act, Thai will solve the problems with guns...

All the Thais I know positively hate Russians for the following reason:

- do not respect Thai culture and language

- talk in a rude way which is a sign of lack of respect and infuriates Asians in general

- do not speak English and do not care to learn Thai.

- open businesses in sectors traditionally reserved to Thais like: souvenir, massages, transportation and touring.

Why always speaking about sex trade and prostitution?

The Russians are buying Pattaya, but not only the sex businesses, but the restaurants, the transportation (Pegasus buses) the massages, the souvenirs etc...

They also buy a LOT of condo and boost the real estate market.

Is this money clean? Well not sure, but Putine has decided to have a serious overlook about taxes and a lot of Russians are investing their hidden money in Thailand to be safe an avoid their new government regulations.

Now the problem with Russians is that they have a Mafia way of thinking. A Russian tour operator will fret a Russian Airline then a Russian bus to drive them in a Russian Hotel, eating in Russian restaurants, and buying souvenirs in a Russian owned shop.

The Thais are making almost no money in that system. The Russians do not even bother to translate the menus in Thais... Pattaya and Phukets are becoming Russian towns, managed in a Russian way.

Thais will not eat this for long... they are taking advantage of Russian money but as soon as it will become a real problem for the local economy, Russians will soon understand why Thailand is the only Asian country in the the Issan region to never been colonized.

The Russians are NOT buying Pattaya. People please stop with this nonsense.

Just because there are many Russian tourists, it does not mean they are buying everything.

A vast majority of them, come from small towns and do not have enough money to buy a drink.

They come on a package tours.

Very few have money to invest, ,may be 1%-2% of the total numbers who come to visit.

[johnnycthedog]

Pattaya is a disgusting toilet. I honestly have no idea why anyone besides a creepy sex tourist would want to visit there.

What an incredibly narrow minded and ignorant statement. There are many other things to do in the Pattaya area rather than visiting bars and hookers and there are many Expats that are happily married, with families who like living in the area. I know because I am one of them.

I am not allowed to post a link, but try Googling 50 things to do in Pattaya you might just be surprised.

Most short term male tourists go to Phuket or Pattaya for the sex scene. Phuket has better beaches by far, especially over the dry summer period. But everything seems to be cheaper in Pattaya. Sex for the night, hotel room rates, food, tuk tuk travel, beer, music scene, clothing and IT products just to name some things. Go back two kilometres from the Pattaya beachfront and it's sssoooo cheap.

In my opinion the beauty of Phuket has killed it as an enjoyable relaxed tourist destination whereas Pattaya never had that "idealic destination" tag to lose - not unless you go back to the 60's & 70's.

I know Pattaya is seedy but I enjoy it more for many things it offers at a cheaper rate compared to Phuket.

However Phuket does have the advantage of tourists being able to island hop to a range of different destinations.

[nikkoid66]

Pattaya has changed drastically these last 3 years.

For the tourist who stay 1 week, it is ok.

If you stay more, you will see the problems: thousands of buses blocking the traffic like in Bangkok, flood of tourists everywhere, prices on the rise by 50% for things like food or rent, pollution (permanent flog over the city), bad internet and phone due to over using the existing infrastructures, huge holes in the streets (second road specifically) still here since the last big rain 2 months ago, police everywhere (well stopping scams are not their priority)....

There are many hot girls everywhere, that's cool. But if you have some kind of lung or stomach sensibility, you m, ight have hard time staying there. In February, I have moved out to Koh Chang and will come back when the Euro Holiday will be finished. Life become really unhealthy in Pat.

Pattaya is a disgusting toilet. I honestly have no idea why anyone besides a creepy sex tourist would want to visit there.

What an incredibly narrow minded and ignorant statement. There are many other things to do in the Pattaya area rather than visiting bars and hookers and there are many Expats that are happily married, with families who like living in the area. I know because I am one of them.

I am not allowed to post a link, but try Googling 50 things to do in Pattaya you might just be surprised.

Most short term male tourists go to Phuket or Pattaya for the sex scene. Phuket has better beaches by far, especially over the dry summer period. But everything seems to be cheaper in Pattaya. Sex for the night, hotel room rates, food, tuk tuk travel, beer, music scene, clothing and IT products just to name some things. Go back two kilometres from the Pattaya beachfront and it's sssoooo cheap.

In my opinion the beauty of Phuket has killed it as an enjoyable relaxed tourist destination whereas Pattaya never had that "idealic destination" tag to lose - not unless you go back to the 60's & 70's.

I know Pattaya is seedy but I enjoy it more for many things it offers at a cheaper rate compared to Phuket.

However Phuket does have the advantage of tourists being able to island hop to a range of different destinations.

[johnnycthedog]

Nikkoid66 quoted "Lemon cake, you seems to know everything about Pattaya. Are you Russian?

You haven't seen that all the south part of Walking Street is Russian operated?

And you never heard in the news that taxi blocked Phuket totally to protest against Russian competitions?

That close to Phuket, a village and all its population went in the streets to protests against Russian businesses?

Are you speaking with Thais about this problem?

Russians are taking business from the Thais... just wait an see. If the authorities do not act, Thai will solve the problems with guns...

All the Thais I know positively hate Russians for the following reason:

- do not respect Thai culture and language

- talk in a rude way which is a sign of lack of respect and infuriates Asians in general

- do not speak English and do not care to learn Thai.

- open businesses in sectors traditionally reserved to Thais like: souvenir, massages, transportation and touring"

===============================================

Nikkoid66 - couldn't agree with you more. Dozens of big burly Russian girls working as hookers in Pattaya. Venues in Walking Street purely for Russians with Russian writing on the wall - One is the restaurant/bar opposite "Rolling Stone Bar 2" end of Walking Street + GoGo Bars. I suspect a number of hotels down that end are operated purely for Russian tourists as well.

What I've also noticed is the increased Arab influence in both Pattaya and Phuket - tourists and restaurants/bars.

[lemoncake]

Lemon cake, you seems to know everything about Pattaya. Are you Russian?

You haven't seen that all the south part of Walking Street is Russian operated?

And you never heard in the news that taxi blocked Phuket totally to protest against Russian competitions?

That close to Phuket, a village and all its population went in the streets to protests against Russian businesses?

Are you speaking with Thais about this problem?

Russians are taking business from the Thais... just wait an see. If the authorities do not act, Thai will solve the problems with guns...

All the Thais I know positively hate Russians for the following reason:

- do not respect Thai culture and language

- talk in a rude way which is a sign of lack of respect and infuriates Asians in general

- do not speak English and do not care to learn Thai.

- open businesses in sectors traditionally reserved to Thais like: souvenir, massages, transportation and touring.

Why always speaking about sex trade and prostitution?

The Russians are buying Pattaya, but not only the sex businesses, but the restaurants, the transportation (Pegasus buses) the massages, the souvenirs etc...

They also buy a LOT of condo and boost the real estate market.

Is this money clean? Well not sure, but Putine has decided to have a serious overlook about taxes and a lot of Russians are investing their hidden money in Thailand to be safe an avoid their new government regulations.

Now the problem with Russians is that they have a Mafia way of thinking. A Russian tour operator will fret a Russian Airline then a Russian bus to drive them in a Russian Hotel, eating in Russian restaurants, and buying souvenirs in a Russian owned shop.

The Thais are making almost no money in that system. The Russians do not even bother to translate the menus in Thais... Pattaya and Phukets are becoming Russian towns, managed in a Russian way.

Thais will not eat this for long... they are taking advantage of Russian money but as soon as it will become a real problem for the local economy, Russians will soon understand why Thailand is the only Asian country in the the Issan region to never been colonized.

The Russians are NOT buying Pattaya. People please stop with this nonsense.

Just because there are many Russian tourists, it does not mean they are buying everything.

A vast majority of them, come from small towns and do not have enough money to buy a drink.

They come on a package tours.

Very few have money to invest, ,may be 1%-2% of the total numbers who come to visit.

Now you just talking more rubbish.

What part of South Pattaya is ALL Russian operated?

Their culture and way to behave have absolutely nothing to do with taking over business.

Russians open businesses to service Russians, they do not aim for any other markets.

Who do you propose services Russians when they do not speak English? Thai? British? Germans?

You claim they do not learn Thai, do you? and how that speaking Thai relates to business?

You seriously bring up Phuket? the poor poor thai's over there can not extort people because Russians have set up shops to service Russian market and you see a problem with that?

Do name for me massage shops which has Russian staff working?

Do name for me tour agency where Thai's can speak fluent enough Russian?

Do name for me Thai transport company where staff speaks good enough Russian to take directions?

And do name for me transport company where the drivers are Russian?

[lemoncake]

Nikkoid66 quoted "Lemon cake, you seems to know everything about Pattaya. Are you Russian?

You haven't seen that all the south part of Walking Street is Russian operated?

And you never heard in the news that taxi blocked Phuket totally to protest against Russian competitions?

That close to Phuket, a village and all its population went in the streets to protests against Russian businesses?

Are you speaking with Thais about this problem?

Russians are taking business from the Thais... just wait an see. If the authorities do not act, Thai will solve the problems with guns...

All the Thais I know positively hate Russians for the following reason:

- do not respect Thai culture and language

- talk in a rude way which is a sign of lack of respect and infuriates Asians in general

- do not speak English and do not care to learn Thai.

- open businesses in sectors traditionally reserved to Thais like: souvenir, massages, transportation and touring"

===============================================

Nikkoid66 - couldn't agree with you more. Dozens of big burly Russian girls working as hookers in Pattaya. Venues in Walking Street purely for Russians with Russian writing on the wall - One is the restaurant/bar opposite "Rolling Stone Bar 2" end of Walking Street + GoGo Bars. I suspect a number of hotels down that end are operated purely for Russian tourists as well.

What I've also noticed is the increased Arab influence in both Pattaya and Phuket - tourists and restaurants/bars.

Right so there is a restaurant/bar opposite "Rolling Stone Bar 2" catering for Russians as oppose to 10 000 bars, catering for everyone else, so i guess Russians are running the show now, after all they have 2-3 bars with Russian girls, they must be pushing out thousands of Thai girls