russians in thailand?

Question

just wanted to hear some of the thoughts form the locals in thailand. Whats up with all the russians in thailand now? been traveling to thailand for the past couple years and don't remember there being too many russian tourists. but now all i hear on message boards is how the Russians are taking over. Am i realy going to have to start learnig Thai? or russina now?

i started comming in 2003, never really noticed the russian untill my last trip in march.

Answer 1

well, I live in Thailand - not Pattaya [ pathet farang ] and I don't see any Russians here... not a one.. just a small handful of white faces.. maybe you should learn Thai, get out of the tourist traps and start enjoying the rest of the country - - I do not think there is a Russian people in Thailand issue at all - there is a Russian people in Pataya issue.. it is quite easy to avoid Pattaya and eliminate your issue... please do not misconsture - I say this w/total kindness.. Come visit the rest of Thailand and enjoy - Pattaya is over-crowded and the beach is one of the worst in Thailand - - in the words of Yogi Berra - nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded.

Answer 2

I have been to Thailand several times. I also speak Russian as a second language 9I wanted to challenge myself...)

Russians tend to congregate in Pattaya. It is weird. Pattaya is a party paradise, offering single, young men and old men a lifestyle of women, bars, drinking and debauchery like no other place I have seen. It is not a family place, except for the luxury resorts on the outskirts.

Yet, Russian parents bring their little children through Walking street every night. This kids are exposed to sights and sounds of this crazy lifestyle, which they shouldn't be allowed to see.

I wonder whether the Russian men have convinced their Russian wives that Pattaya is a good place, for a reason. Perhaps once there, they know they can sneak away for some pay for play.

Answer 3

I understand that Pattaya is a favorite destination for Russian tourists, even offering charter flights directly into the Pattaya Airport. Earlier this year the Thai government also eliminated the visa requirement for Russian tourists, they now get the 30 day visa free visit people from many other countries get. From what I've read the Russians in general are good tourists and spend a lot of money here, word of mouth about how great Thailand is, is spreading in Russia and even with the strong baht is still a very affordable destination for Russians, and the Thai government has done a lot to promote tourism in Russia. There is talk that Russian mafia is making a prescense in Pattaya, and was suspected in a couple of murders there earlier this year. I live in Bangkok, and haven't noticed anything related to Russian tourism, but I'm not in the tourist areas too often. They're welcome here just as anyone is, as long as they spend money and behave, and I don't think you'll need to learn Russian anytime soon, dosvidaniya comrade.

Answer 4

Agree with most of the comments below -
Basic reasons are it is easy for them to get into Asian countries, and also in the likes of Thailand, - sad to say corruption/the acceptance of under the table $$ still widespread. The problem being that by and large the Russians operating in the country, are likewise corrupt -
I actually got into the Investigation biz in the mid 90's, when the Hotel owners I was working for, had a national scandel over russian prostitutes, and fled the country ! - so its not a really knew occurrence. Allowing for money invested by them in various ways, they will no doubt have a presence in the region for a long time, but it wont amount to more than that.
Fact is previously the US, and later Japan, were big sponsers of Thai business [ allbeit more legit] - but as theyt look elsewhere, guess the ruble has been welcomed ....

Answer 5

In fact, the Russian Mafia have been running many hotels, restaurants, bars etc in Pattaya since 1998.
Russian hookers is also every where. Some intern fights between the Russians mafia gangs was result of some killing also.
I remember I was jailed some month in 2002, (thats another story). And every night police bring in Russian hookers, sometime up to 8 a time.
Then the following morning Russians arrive to the Jail and I think pay some money, for the girls was free shortly after.
This happen nearly every night.

Answer 6

If your memory or experience goes back a bit further, then you'll remember or know that for a couple of years (1999-2001), Pattaya was inundated with Russian tourists.

There were direct flights from Moscow to U-tapao and huge Tupolevs shuttled nouveau riche Russians to indulge in the sins at offer in Pattaya.

With the tourists came the Russian mafia. Some of Pattaya's Russian restaurants were covers for strip joints and drug running. Deathly clashes with the established thugs from UK, Germany etc. continued for months until the gangland "rights" had been redistributed to accommodate the newcomers.

Then Russian tourists arrivals fell, but over the past few years, the trend has again been upward. I hear that in Pattaya, many menus are now in English, Russian, and Thai, but I have stayed away from that cesspool for years.

Answer 7

Russians have been coming to Thailand for over ten years big time. I'm local. A friend of mine has a Russian friend who own a tourist company operating in Thailand, bringing lots of Russians over to Pattaya.
My thought, Russians are different than the rest of Europeans or Westerners. Firstly, they really come here to enjoy the country and the sun, latter especially, as it's so cold in their country's winter.
Secondly, I think things are getting cheaper for them in Thailand, I mean those days of black market currency exchange in Russia may be over and Thai baht after 97 enables them to have good times here.
Thirdly, those Russians that come for sex bring their own toys. Man, you should see those Slavic girls the wealthy Russians are bring with them. You could see those fat middle age man with 17 years old Russians that look like they just stepped out from Sport Illustrate magazine.
In all, I think they're alright. They do respect the LOCAL.

Answer 8

The Russians that are in Pattaya are just making the place like a crime ridden lavatory, they put 1000,000 cigarette ends on the beach every day, walk along the pavements like they own the place, and treat people like dirt. Yes, if you get away from the tourist (scum parts) of Thailand you lose the Russians as they stick to where the filth, and prostitution is, in other words, The Black Money.

Answer 9

Last time I've heard about Russian is The 2005 miss universe will marry with a Thai Tennis player, So no need to learn Russian.

More than 90% of the population speak Thai.

Answer 10

Pattaya is over run with Russians these days, and the city has become something like a Russian tradgedy novel by the author:

Ivan Chewedhertitsov