Thailand’s Russian invasion
It’s hard not to notice that there has been a rather sudden influx of Russian tourists to Thailand. It may be that there are more Russians in Phuket than Bangkok, but this increase is not just my imagination – the Russians are coming.
At the risk of offending my Russian readers – I know that I used to have at least one – I’ve been thinking about these Russian visitors a lot recently because they’re everywhere. You go to any nightclub in Phuket and there will be a group of Russians there dancing until the sun comes up.
They’re an interesting bunch, the Russians, but I worry about the reputation that some of their countrymen are earning. I have now lost track of the number of times that I’ve been told stories about Russian tourists coming to Thailand and wreaking havoc on bars and clubs. Just as Britain and Australia have their lager louts, so Russia has its vodka louts.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has made it clear that it is keen to tap into new markets, such as Russia. TAT’s global roadshow touring has already seen an impact on tourism numbers.
One point of interest that I have noticed is that the Russians coming to Thailand have a lot of money. Furthermore, property developers have now cottoned on to this and are beginning to translate their websites into Russian.
I was told by a major property developer that Russians weren’t buying property in Thailand before for the simple fact that they couldn’t read any of the websites. While there have been Russian girls hanging out at Novotel Siam Square for as long as I can remember, there are now more Russians making their way to Thailand than ever before. There are even Russian clubs and bars beginning to surface.
To any Russian readers, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on what is now attracting you to Thailand. As for everyone else, what have your experiences with the Russian masses been like?
I hope I haven’t offended any Russians by writing this.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I think the visa and/or stamp on arrival rules were recently changed to be more easy for Russians to enter/stay/invest in Thailand. That is what has caused you to notice them more. There are more to notice…
May 20th, 2008 at 3:24 am
It is a trend. When I was still teaching the students who were going to Pattaya hotels for their work experience were given a 1 week crash course in Russian due to the influx of Russian tourists. They spent 4 years learning English but then were expected to use Russian for their intern.
I also notice many signs in Pattaya written in Russian last time I was there.
May 20th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Some years ago, Russions took over Turkey and not to the delight of many people as I understand.
Many travelagencies in Europe now offer “guaranteed Russian free hotel holidays”.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I have heard that Russians control a part of the downtown district in Seoul, South Korea.
I could possibly see this happening to other parts of the world… hint hint
Especially considering you say they are rich and love to party… hint hint
Time will only tell…
May 20th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I think there are a few Russian heavies in Samui.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
If they wouldn’t talk so loudly and wouldn’t treat staff so roughly and wouldn’t surround themselves with so many beautiful young women they’d look more like the rest of us.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
My friends went to Pattaya last year and ended up in the part of the beach they dubbed “Little Moscow”.
I guess when you’re country is so darn cold, any country with sunny beaches that you can afford, you’d flock to.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Somebody has to make up for the big decline in the newly destitute “Ugly American” tourists. Might as well be Russians. The Thais really only care about the money, not where it comes from.
Russian culture is really not all that much different than Thai culture. The men drink, smoke and whore around; the young women have tight bodies, like money, and soap operas; they both love gold and flaunting wealth; and they’ll both kill you when drunk and mad, etc., etc..
And then there’s politics…
May 20th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I think perhaps we’re being a bit hard on the general Russian population, but it’s interesting to see people’s opinions.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
OK, lots of good Russians, too! And they deserve a nice vacation in the Land O’ Smiles! Is that better?
You can delete my last comment if you like…just my attempt at reinforcing badly worn stereotypes…yadayada.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:45 am
I am a Canadian that noticed the increase in Russian tourists when I was in Pattaya. I was surprised to see a seafood restaurant on the beach with menus in Russian/Thai…..The Russians are coming!
May 21st, 2008 at 4:04 am
Don’t sweat it mataho.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:47 am
Just don’t call the Pattaya branch of the St. Petersburg mafia, OK?
June 1st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Hello Matt,
I am from Slovakia, but have lived in Ukraine and Russia for the past 3 years. I have been travelling to Thailand before and also recently with my Russian and Ukrainian friends.
There is no mystery in the influx of Russians and Ukrainiands to Thailand:
a) The economies of Russia and Ukraine have been developing very positively in the past 5 years. That is people have more money and are starting to enjoy holidaying. The combined population of RU and UA is over 200 milion.
b) Russians and Ukrainians need visa for most countries and obtaining visa is a painfull process in most cases. The holiday countries that do not require visa are the most popular holiday destinations. They are Egypt, Turkey and Thailand. During the winter period, only Thailand qualifies as holiday destination.
c) There are direct flights to BKK from Moscow, Kiev, and Novosibirsk. Also from many capitals of ex soviet republics. This favors Thailand over Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia, where visa are also not required.
Hope this explains the situation a bit.
June 1st, 2008 at 11:30 pm
to mataho: your observations regarding similarities between Russians and Thais are correct. But there are dramatic differences in their nature: while Thais are polite and smiling, Russians are just the oposite. This is their character and the way they like it. As my Moscow friend put it on the last day of our holiday in Vietnam: “I can stand the artificial smiles any more, I am looking forward to land in Moscow tomorrow and recognize at first glance that all the people around me genuinely hate me and do not try to hide it.”
July 25th, 2008 at 7:47 am
the rusians spend good mony and we have neverproblem with then,when rusian girls read this the gen contackt my.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:21 am
I was told by few thai people who live and work in Pattaya that they do not like Russians as they are rude and tight with their money. I think they are nothing like Thai they seem unfriendly and cold compare to English or German tourists.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I have been to Thailand 4 times and I’m glad I haven’t met any Russians in the resort I go to. I won’t even mention it just in case they see this and invade it. I have developed a rather negative attitude towards them recently due to their unpleasant behaviour. I have been to Egypt this year and only just returned from Turkey. They are unfriendly, arogant, won’t speak to anyone who is not russian, rude, very serious, greedy (all inclusive), they don’t ask politely they demand things and of course there’s the drinking. Local and hotel staff alike do not like them. I have asked. Someone from the hotel told me that all the Russians do is drink all night and get up ti all sorts of things and sleep all day. That seemed to be the case except for families with children. I think much of what shaped my feelings is that I stayed in a hotel where everyone was Russian except for just one English family. Won’t do that again. I do enjoy talking and interacting with people from other cultures but I found it impossible with them. I heard that Americans have been getting leaflets that told them how to behave when they go abroad. The problem being they are very loud and full of themselves. Maybe the Russians need a bit of education and manners to go along with their money.