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.
In regards to Lena's comment on the russian girls being more intelligent than the thai. I think that is definitely debatable.
The reason being is the education system in russia gives more opportunity to its people to afford to get educated. Definitely an advantage over their thai counterparts. I think you'll find if the thai education system was similar, then you would find a levelling out of intelligence between the two. I find the thai girls to be street smarter than their russian counterparts. Obviously a different form of intelligence. Once again Lena, an observation. What do you think?
Dmitry, as you might have noticed already zBoris statements are typical of a Soviet Jew who left Russia/USSR. Don't bother arguing with him.
The invasion is happening in Koh Chang. Generally speaking the ones i saw seem weird, unfriendly and refuse to speak or smile.
Is smiling banned in Russia? Do you not know you are on holiday?
I don't understand why they are like this. They are uncomfortable people to be around especially as Thais are complete the opposite!
'rus – and where is your's 5 cents for cons and pros of the topic started by Lost Boy? Your previous comment does not add anything usufull to this conversation, and more importantly I and Dmitry have already agreed on who is jew and who is not.
Came back from Phuket on 9th Jan, where I've spent unbelievable 3 great weeks. Everything is great, even russians. Spoke to many Thais about the same thing we are discussing here, and alas all the responses were:
1. No smiles (taxi driver asked me once, why none of russians ever smile…)
2. No tips (overall I do not agree with that one though)
3. Arrogant behavior
… only 5% of the things Ive heard were of a positive nature. Thai people went that far they told be that there are ideas between Phuket (at least) dwellers to block the airport landing strips for the chartered flights from Russia. "We would rather earn nothing, than tolerate russian mistreatment".
Surely those statements do not apply to all the Ruskis, but never ever one (thai) had mentioned similar "hatred" to Brits, americans or australians.
That's the point of view of non russians on my motherland people, which I share as well, since I can observe their attitude when Im travelling.
Im a swedish guy thats been to Thailand about ten times
But this time we had enough
The russians are invading the tourist places in Thailand
I have only negative experience with them
They are rude and seem to think they are above everybody else.
They think everybody should know russian and speek it like its was the number one language in the world.
Next time im going to demand "non russian" hotel if we are coming back.
Once again, Mr Sweden, THERE ARE ROTTEN APPLES ON EVERY TREE.
Thailand? You’ve chosen nice place for your judgement. I guess all Scotts are Oil Field trash drunken idiots? Just because big numbers of them retire here? Or all Germans are sexual predators? Only because of a couple of scandals highlighted in Pattay News last year?
Yeah, cough up a couple bucks and upgrade your hotel. Don’t stay in cheap “guest friendy”. That’s what I do to avoid some charming samples of your “European Culture”…
Dmitry, not all russians are rude. But there are LOADS of them in Thailand! It is sad to see how they bully the thai staff. Once friendly and smiling now sad andfrighten looking, especially in Phuket. There are many hotells that wont lodge russian partys.
Meeting wrong folks is unavoidable, when travelling abroad, Karin. This wave of rude Russians would go away eventually. Other groups of undesirables are on the way. Someone with shocking manners always will be out there: obnoxious slobs from Russia are followed by sex hungry, good fathers from Middle East, whom will be soon replaced by growing middle class travellers from India. Staying in the same hotel could become your idea of living hell. Careful planning, avoiding budget tours and tourist traps, choosing better destination will minimize the risk.
P.S. The particular reason I don’t like this thread…well…take a guess.