Drunken Russian goes on temple smashing rampage in Phuket, tries to hot-wire truck

[Lite Beer]

Phuket devout demand apology from drunken Russian
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: About 200 Phuket residents yesterday demanded an apology from the Russian tourist who damaged a statue of revered historical abbot Luang Por Kongdet during a drunken spree late Tuesday night.

If the tourist, Oleg Fomenko, 31, or the Russian honorary consul for Phuket do not apologize within seven days, there will be protests, the residents warned.

Mr Fomenko was brought in for questioning by the Karon Police after they identified him from CCTV footage at the temple (story here).

The video showed a man dressed in black pushing over a statue of Luang Por Kongdet, a revered former abbot at Wat Karon, officially known as Wat Suwankhirikhet.

Mr Fomenko admitted he was the man in the video, but said he had no recollection of his antics that night as he had been drinking.

“Police should bring him to apologize here,” said local village chief Aroonsri Klunma.

“If police cannot have him released from prison for this, they should find a representative or ask the Russian honorary consul to apologize.

“We will give seven days. If we do not receive an apology by then, we will stage a protest and block access to Karon Police Station,” she stated.

Ms Aroonsri explained that the late Luang Por Kongdet was well respected throughout the community.

“We all respect Luang Por Kongdet. If a statue of him is damaged, our hearts are damaged too,” she said.

Karon Police Deputy Superintendent Pachai Matthayan arrived to address the crowd of angry devotees.

“The suspect is now in court custody. Whether or not he could be released to make an apology is up to the Phuket Provincial Court,” he explained.

“However, we will do our best to have him or a representative make an apology,” Lt Col Pachai said.

“Just give us seven days to make it happen,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-devout-demand-apology-from-drunken-Russian-22623.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-10-26

[sawadee1947]

The ''Creme de la Creme'' of farangland. I dare not say any more.

Russians, that's all. You find their behaviour in this way everywhere in Europe. And now even here. Hope these people will not allowed to enter this country again. As all Russians.....

[Briggsy]

I doubt the Ruskie realized how offensive his actions were. I recall that a Thai was beat to death for smashing a figure at the Erawan Shrine, Bangkok.

There are some lines that you just don't cross here.

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

The Russian certainly put himself in danger.

However the Erawan shrine incident was not as stated in the press. The so-called disturbed man was ordered and paid to smash the shrine and there were guys there ordered and paid to beat him to death. It was a pre-planned stunt and a premeditated murder. Not the same as the incident with the Russian.

[marell]

I recall that a Thai was beat to death for smashing a figure at the Erawan Shrine, Bangkok.

I hear ya, mate. But the Russian smashed an abbot figure, the guy at Erawan smashed The Figure, the main part of the shrine. I'm not sure these are equal in stature. BTW, not condoning the Thai guy getting beaten to death. Just suggesting smashing an abbot figure isn't the same as basically destroying the whole shrine.

You're trying to split some extremely thin hairs here.

[Bpuumike]

How come he was carrying a crowbar anyway?

Not the sort of thing I normally leave home without.

[Jim walker]

He looks as bright as a 1 Watt light bulb

[toooa]

Good old alcohol eh? It's the only legal way to have a good time and he was just having a good time. We know that alcohol makes a certain proportion of its indulgers aggressive, belligerent and stupid, much more so than other unmentionables, and yet our "conservative" societies fight tooth and nail to maintain the illusion that any deviation from this path, is a heinous crime. And then of course the same people who whinge about little alco-incidents don't see any reason why major sporting events should be sponsored by beer and whiskey companies...our "conservative societies" are near drowning in their stupidity, and hypocrisy. On that note...Cheers (beer mug smiley)

[LUSHGOAT]

Been drunk is no excuse for his behavior it seems these Russians think they are a superior race and can do what they like where ever they go my personal opinion is they are arrogant <deleted> the men mostly its no wonder their women are always looking for men from a different country. Lock him up throw away the key <deleted>.

[delh]

I've read all the posts on this thread. Nobody has suggested that Americans or Canadians get drunk and make a nuisance of themselves. I wonder why that is.

Could it be that the US NSA are listening

[YozhikYasha]

I am Russian living in Phuket and I am f****** ashamed of this story! (((

Don't judge all Russians as crazy drunk <deleted>. We're suffering of such individuals so much too. I do hope that this bastard will get a real term at 'hospitable and smiling' Thai prison instead of crazy large fine...

[tomyumchai]

Obviously on a low budget. Couldn't even buy a shirt that fitted. (read fit if you're American)

its probably the same one he had his passport photo taken in. he have noticed a lot of russian men tend to wear the same clothes every day. we ran a bet while on koh chang on how many days they would go with out changing. 1 guy went 6 days straight in the same clothes.

[aboctok]

The new 500 baht entry fee will put a stop to this type of tourist.

Really?

You think that US$17 is going to make the difference between coming to Thailand, or not?

Think you could be kinda wrong.

tongue. in. cheek.

[frank0424]

The new 500 baht entry fee will put a stop to this type of tourist.

Really?

You think that US$17 is going to make the difference between coming to Thailand, or not?

Think you could be kinda wrong.

I think you missed Songhua's sarcasm.

[stevenl]

The new 500 baht entry fee will put a stop to this type of tourist.

Really?

You think that US$17 is going to make the difference between coming to Thailand, or not?

Think you could be kinda wrong.

I think you missed Songhua's sarcasm.

I think you missed some other posts ...

[Loles]

Look at this idiot silly face! His IQ between 35 - 45 that's pretty sure.

They (russkies) occupaid Phuket and think can do everything like their home.

Go to youtube and sign this ti the browser: "russian, idiot, car, fighting) you will got it what I meant.

[nst]

At work I see them wearing the same uniforms for an entire month without washing them (underground mine workers). They all seem to be used to the smell, I'm not.
Only one word for this guy 'Dol*****' rough translation - idiot!

[janpharma]

And these "Quality tourists" don't even need a visa...(agreement with Thai Government)...

[silent]

The new 500 baht entry fee will put a stop to this type of tourist.

Really?

You think that US$17 is going to make the difference between coming to Thailand, or not?

Think you could be kinda wrong.

Really? Sure hopin ain't no question about differences between sarcasm, cynicism or exchange rates on any test here Bravo

[silent]

I've read all the posts on this thread. Nobody has suggested that Americans or Canadians get drunk and make a nuisance of themselves. I wonder why that is.

Well, what does that tell you

[Suradit69]

Obviously on a low budget. Couldn't even buy a shirt that fitted. (read fit if you're American)

Probably here on a student visa. He could even have been doing a homework assignment (read "prep" if you're a Brit) that went south (read " went tits up).

Edited October 26, 2013 by Suradit69

[silent]

its always funny to see how the Russian bashing is working well here .... it seems than no Brits , no Aussies never drink or get drunk in Thailand .... LOL I can tell you , have seen so many drunken English in pattaya or phuket having the same kind of attitude . Today is one russian , tomorrow will be someone else .... nothing new in that !

I am sure there is a Russian forum somewhere complaining about the British, German, Scandinavian, Indian, Omani tourists behaving like lager louts.....

Ya ya but an IQ test for 500 baht with no discrimination here's gonna sort all that out............... isn't it?

[Beetlejuice]

The new 500 baht entry fee will put a stop to this type of tourist.

Really?

You think that US$17 is going to make the difference between coming to Thailand, or not?

Think you could be kinda wrong.

It was a satire, just a bit humour, only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

[saroq]

Is there a link between tattoos and IQs?

[Colabamumbai]

We are real special here. What other country on the world could this possibly happen??

[istinspring]

its always funny to see how the Russian bashing is working well here .... it seems than no Brits , no Aussies never drink or get drunk in Thailand .... LOL I can tell you , have seen so many drunken English in pattaya or phuket having the same kind of attitude . Today is one russian , tomorrow will be someone else .... nothing new in that !

I am sure there is a Russian forum somewhere complaining about the British, German, Scandinavian, Indian, Omani tourists behaving like lager louts.....

Ya ya but an IQ test for 500 baht with no discrimination here's gonna sort all that out............... isn't it?

This would be great! Something about "What is O() for bubble sort algorithm? How you define recursion?" i live at Koh Samui and SOON there will be so much Russians that if i close my eyes in Tesco Lotus i can imagine that i'm still in St. Petersburg! Easy. But frankly speaking most of them don't cause any problems.

What other country on the world could this possibly happen??

UK-Scotland - they drink even more!

Edited October 26, 2013 by istinspring

[DGIE]

Did the people not see him so that they should have sentenced him right away?

[h90]

I doubt the Ruskie realized how offensive his actions were. I recall that a Thai was beat to death for smashing a figure at the Erawan Shrine, Bangkok.

There are some lines that you just don't cross here.

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

Well if I must choose between a Russian smashing something in a temple and some hypocrite killing someone for their superstition I choose the Ruski.

[GAZZPA]

I am Russian living in Phuket and I am f****** ashamed of this story! (((

Don't judge all Russians as crazy drunk <deleted>. We're suffering of such individuals so much too. I do hope that this bastard will get a real term at 'hospitable and smiling' Thai prison instead of crazy large fine...

Only an idiot would judge an entire nation based upon the actions of the few. Every country has people like this without exception. As per my previous post the problem is Thailand's image, it basically has an image that attracts too many of these kinds of people, simple as that. They want more quality tourists but do absolutely nothing to clean the place up and get rid of all the things that drag the country down. So, rather then you be ashamed of the actions of 1 Russian perhaps the Thai people should start pressuring their leaders to clean up the shameful image of what could and should be a great country.

[istinspring]

Wow, great post Northguy! I born in USSR (84) and can remember that people that days was much more better, parents allow kids to walk everywhere around (while 2 years ago i forced to meet my sister from music school), many even not close the thin doors (while in 90x as usual everyone has 2 doors one made with steel)! Current government with Putin ruin all the best they got from Soviet Union (and there was a lot! believe me) and get every shitty things they can implement from US/EU. Forced nation into deep depression, corruption and low-culture. That's it.

There is many different as previous posters said, who runaway from russia due to bad political situation and who have opportunity to do things using internet and laptops. But this kind of Russians have no common interests with east countries tourists/bar-hotel owners and with tourists in general. You even can't know that it's russian guy since most of them can speak english.

Edited October 26, 2013 by istinspring

[northguy]

istinspring, it is like mem "somebody offends russian again". And all political background promotes it:

- Pussy Riot are in jail!

- Arctic Sea activists are in jail!

- Bad Vlad's opposer Navalny can sooner be in jail!

And on the other side:

- What we know about Russia?

- Soviet Union, Cold War, Vodka & the prostitute Natasha!

There is no interest in smth else. Because it is not easy to understand cultural features & differences. And everything that we did not understand - we hate. But if somebody from thaivisa "rusky" haters will trying to understand political & economical situation in Russia - minimum what he said is "Wow!"

Because there was no utopian socialistic state in Thailand but I'm sure that there is more business possibilities, citizen rights protection, court system development in Russia. Our educational system is going lower and lower but our teenagers do not think that Hitler image & swastika is so "very-very cute" (expect skinheads, of course). I can continue this list but there is no need in it. As you fairly said - there were good sides in Soviet Union for its citizens. But...

...I speak about tourism "public image" of Thailand and its problems. It is very funny but Russia had bigger problems with all its public image at all. And my avatar truly illustrates it. So we can say here that Mr.Fomenko is our fault too...

And may be there will be more sence to go back to the motherhood and try smth to change (Mr.Navalny show us that it is possible) than runaway to different exotic destinations where the maximum we get is facepalming about the other russian redneck.

May be I said very sad thoughts here but it is quite true. With respect to everybody here, yo!