Every Picture Tells a Story: Russian Agents in Thailand

[Inspire]

Lifestyle

Every Picture Tells a Story: Russian Agents in Thailand



Welcome to “Every Picture Tells a Story”; a weekly post about living in Thailand. Each week we’ll post a picture that illustrates some of the little things those of us fortunate enough to live here hold dear.

As a guy who was in the American military during the cold war, I never thought I’d know any Russian people. “The Evil Empire” I believe my President called them.

The first time I actually laid eyes on any people I can say for sure were Russian was in Turkey where I saw about 1,000 of them getting off the biggest cruise ship I’d ever seen emblazoned with a menacing hammer and sickle. Other than wearing funny clothes and chain smoking, they looked pretty much like my fellow countrymen.

Fast forward to 30 years or so and here I am, living in Thailand. Now I’m member of a very small minority group of North Americans. And I’m surrounded by Russians. I rented a car from a Russian company; I write articles for Russian magazines, I have dinner in Russian restaurants with Russian people.

One night, some Russian friends asked me out to dinner. It was a night I’ll never forget. They took me to a crazy restaurant that was themed on a famous Russian movie. The title (loosely translated) was “The Captive Caucasian”. The whole place was like a movie set, and the crazy late 70’s slapstick comedy played silently on big flat-screens everywhere. It was kooky.

The cuisine however was quite serious and spanned the entire country. I learned a very important lesson from the food. The region I know as “Russia” is massive with an incredibly complex culture and diverse social fabric. I had a cheese pie that reminded me of Greece and a hearty chicken dumpling dish I’m quite sure my grandma used to make. And Georgian wine … well it’s worth going there just for that.

What strikes me most about the Russians I’ve met is how adaptive they are to a foreign environment. You would think a country that isolated itself for so long from the rest of the planet would have a tough time when they go abroad.
To be sure, Russian tourists can seem socially challenged. But, all of us are ignorant bulls-in-a-china-shop when we first get here. The Russians I know that live here have proven to be savvy and flexible expatriates.

What’s more, resourceful and accommodating Thais have reached out to make it easier for Russians to adapt. My favorite symbol of that is a sign over a pharmacy in English, Thai and Russian.

That’s the story this week’s picture tells. It was taken during a property show in Pattaya’s Central Festival Mall. These three young ladies work for a real estate company. They were busy talking floor-plans and handing out brochures in 4 or 5 languages.

The striking girl with the curly hair is clearly their Russian agent, and the dark-haired woman is obviously Thai. And what about the girl in the back? Well, she appears to be playing for both sides.

Orlando Barton

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/russian-agents-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-20

[prakhonchai nick]

Thirty four years ago, in the midst of the "cold war" I spent a month on a Russian cruise ship visiting the Caribbean,

I was one of only a few younger people aboard the cruise ship, the vast majority of the British and Dutch passengers being 60+

Virtually the whole crew "adopted " me, and insisted when ashore I went with them and not on the tour buses with the other passengers.

They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. And 3 of them, one of whom I became quite close to, were KGB agents, as I found out on my last day.

[harrry]

After four trips on the Kharborobsk I would have to agree on the niceness of the Russian People. Yes they are different to Australians. At that time of course the Russian Federation was much larger. I have fond memories of a beautiful Siberian blonde trying desperately to teach a small group of us to sing Kalinka for the voyage concert.

I also have memories of how red a blonde can blush when in testing me for my language learning certificate she looked at me and said in russian...I love you...and I looked into her eyes and said good lets go to bed....

thy were the times I used to leave Perth and have 6 days of boat trip eating well after 4 months working in the desert and then take the train from Singapore to my real love....Bangkok.

Edited February 21, 2016 by harrry

[manarak]

Kavkasia Plenitsa does not translate as "the captive caucasian", but rather as "caucasian-style kidnapping" - it is about the tradition of bride kidnapping and a slapstick comedy was made about it - the movie is very famous in the ex-USSR.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping,_Caucasian_Style

[flyingdoc]

Some can be superb !

[wabothai]

Thirty four years ago, in the midst of the "cold war" I spent a month on a Russian cruise ship visiting the Caribbean,

I was one of only a few younger people aboard the cruise ship, the vast majority of the British and Dutch passengers being 60+

Virtually the whole crew "adopted " me, and insisted when ashore I went with them and not on the tour buses with the other passengers.

They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. And 3 of them, one of whom I became quite close to, were KGB agents, as I found out on my last day.

Must have been bad agents when their cover was blown just in a few days on board.

[harrry]

One of the purposes of the cruise ships was to give exposure to languge and culture of the west. each ship was actually part of the Navy although they were run as the equivalent of seperate companies.

One I was on actually transferred someone from a soviet submarine one night. Not sure of who or the reason.

[soc]

ln 1975 l was on a bus tour that went through Scandinavia, Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Berlin, then Western Europe.

We were 2 weeks in Russia & it was a very backward country in those days.

A lot of Russians drank wine, which surprised me & their beer was terrible.

ln fact l didn't get a decent beer until we got to West Berlin.

The Russian people were friendly but wary & who can blame them as it was in the communist era.

Part of our tour was to go through a part of the Kremlin, as unbelievable as that sounds & we met with representatives of the Soviet govt for our dose of propaganda!

We entered the USSR near Leningrad, then onto Moscow, then Minsk, then into Poland so l didn't see southern Russia at all.

l would have loved to have seen Stalingrad.

Russia is a fascinating country. All l remember of Leningrad(St Petersburg) are the wide streets & the Winter Palace which was huge.

At that time Poland was the cheapest place that l have ever been to. By law you had to exchange a certain amount of currency per day & it was very difficult to spend it all!

Ah memories! Wish l was that age, in those times again.

[wow64]

Lifestyle

"As a guy who was in the American military during the cold war,"

Orlando Barton

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/russian-agents-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-20

Op that the best line...love how that was thrown in there.

Let me guess Special Ops or were you a Seal?

Think I have meet you before at every single bar in thailand.

Sent from my c64

[bazza40]

A very old book now, "Journey into Russia" by Sir Laurens van der Post is probably one of the best studies of the Russian people and the Russian psyche around. A travelogue written at the start of the Cold War. Available on Amazon Kindle.

[TKDfella]

I had been in a international competition and was returning home via Moscow. I had never been to Russia and was due to stay on the plane while others disembarked. But while we were waiting a blizzard came in and the aircraft was grounded. Since I and others didn't have a visa we were escorted by troops on to a bus and taken to a hotel. No problem and we were treated well. I was escorted by this very large soldier fully armed but very cheerful and when I put my small cabin bag on the bed he pointed to it, laughed and said something. Since I don't speak Russian I hadn't a clue what he was asking so with gestures I basically 'asked' if he wanted me to open it. He nodded so I did. Inside was a small bottle of special oriental liniment which I was using to sooth some bruises. He picked it up, opened and sniffed and woofed it down in one gulp. He went out of the room laughing. I saw him in the morning when we were escorted to the bus, still cheerful, All I can say is that his guts must have been of strong stuff, Ha!

[sanukjim]

Thirty four years ago, in the midst of the "cold war" I spent a month on a Russian cruise ship visiting the Caribbean,

I was one of only a few younger people aboard the cruise ship, the vast majority of the British and Dutch passengers being 60+

Virtually the whole crew "adopted " me, and insisted when ashore I went with them and not on the tour buses with the other passengers.

They were some of the nicest people I have ever met. And 3 of them, one of whom I became quite close to, were KGB agents, as I found out on my last day.

The "cold war" 1950s/60s/70s.Pretty much over with by 1982

[sanukjim]

Lifestyle

"As a guy who was in the American military during the cold war,"

Orlando Barton

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/russian-agents-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-20

Op that the best line...love how that was thrown in there.

Let me guess Special Ops or were you a Seal?

Think I have meet you before at every single bar in thailand.

Sent from my c64

I think that he just meant that he was in the US Military between 1950 to about 1975.You are just jumping to conclusions wow64.Was you ever in or did they not want you ?

[sanukjim]

I bet that they don't have the proper work permits if foreign born.

[connda]

The people of the world, as a whole, keep buying into the 'this country evil, this country good' propaganda generated by the leadership of their own countries for whatever 'national interest' that it serves. But for anyone who travels, you eventually end up finding out that the average citizen of a country that has be demonized, are....just average people like the rest of us. Same wants, same desires, same morality, same level of acceptance.

People and countries are not the problem; propaganda is the problem.

[connda]

Lifestyle

"As a guy who was in the American military during the cold war,"

Orlando Barton

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/russian-agents-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-20

Op that the best line...love how that was thrown in there.

Let me guess Special Ops or were you a Seal?

Think I have meet you before at every single bar in thailand.

Sent from my c64

I think that he just meant that he was in the US Military between 1950 to about 1975.You are just jumping to conclusions wow64.Was you ever in or did they not want you ?

I was in the US military during the Cold War also. So was my father.

The statement is just that: a statement. There's nothing to read into the statement other than providing the context of the national mind-set during that particular period of time. Gotta agree with sanukjim: It says nothing specific about what one did during that period of time.

[allanos]

Early in 1967, myself and my girlfriend at the time (later to become my wife and subsequent ex-wife), were

making our way overland to Southern Africa. Whilst in Athens, because our funds were really stretched,

we booked the cheapest possible berth (6 bunks to a cabin, below decks) on a Russian Black Sea cruise ship

travelling from the port of Piraeus to Alexandria.

Whilst the ship's Purser and his staff were checking the passengers' passports, he noticed that my "occupation"

in my passport was likewise shown as "Purser", as I had spent 3 years in the British Merchant Navy in that

position.

From being quite dour, he was immediately cheerful, friendly and obliging, and without any request on my part he

transferred us to an top-deck,outer cabin - very well appointed - at no additional charge.

During these many years subsequent, this has been my only face-to-face contact with a Russian, and which

took place during the so-called "Cold War". I have nothing but pleasant memories of my encounter, I have to

say.

By the way, the pleasant memories do not extend to the quality of food which was being served on board the vessel.

Breakfast consisted of cottage cheese and sour cream - possibly a Russian delicacy, but certainly not to my liking!

[Roomuck]

Their women under 35 generally are better looking than the sheilas back home. But after that they catch up.

What is it with Americans always having to have an enemy? The Russians, the Vietnamese (along with large parts of Laos and Cambodia, Iran, lately it has been Muslims and the new focus watching Fox News seems to be China.

Buggered if I know why China. They seem to stay out of everyone's wars, and are more focussed on being rich. They want to sell us all their stuff. Why would you shoot your customers?

[geisha]

This is not being unkind, but why do you see plenty of lovely Russian ladies with great bodies, and the men .......... Plain and heavy ?

[puukao]

one word: Honeypot

I have been seduced by over 100 russian women since i'm been in Thailand......they ask crazy questions like, "short or long time?' i never understand.

i have spent over 11 years at McDonalds cleaning the bathroom, and they want to know if have the secret sauce. i do.

trust no one.

9.823% of all members are tracking your every move!!!

i'm on soi 8 right now.

Americans have no enemies......you have listened to the media too long!!! don't be a sheep!!! think!!!

signed

the illuminati

[hawker9000]

Their women under 35 generally are better looking than the sheilas back home. But after that they catch up.

What is it with Americans always having to have an enemy? The Russians, the Vietnamese (along with large parts of Laos and Cambodia, Iran, lately it has been Muslims and the new focus watching Fox News seems to be China.

Buggered if I know why China. They seem to stay out of everyone's wars, and are more focussed on being rich. They want to sell us all their stuff. Why would you shoot your customers?

Duh, because they squat on the world's oceans, and claim them as their own? Was the Korean War an example of "staying out of everyone's way? Yeah, buggered alright...