Russians make Thailand their haven as Ukraine war enters second year
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more and more Russians have traveled to Thailand to escape the threat of conscription and the economic fallout of the war. Between November 2022 and January 2023, more than 233.000 Russians arrived in Phuket, making them by far the largest group of visitors.
The mass refuge of Russians is also seen in other popular tourist areas, such as Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island, and the eastern coastal resort of Pattaya, where a sizeable Russian community has for years been concentrated in the resort town of Jomtien.
Phuket has long been a favored destination for escaping the harsh Russian winters, but since President Vladimir Putin ordered Moscow's first peacetime mobilization since World War II in September, property sales have soared. This indicates that many newcomers plan to stay well beyond the duration of a typical vacation.
Many of them buy off-plan apartments worth more than half a million dollars to facilitate their move or as a springboard for a future time when they feel compelled to leave their home country. However, obtaining a long-stay visa will be difficult in Thailand.
Luxury apartments on Phuket, which until recently cost about $1.000 a month, can now cost three times as much. Meanwhile, lavish villas renting for $6.000 a month or more are booked up a year in advance.
Brokers in Russian-dominated areas of the island say the influx of wealthy visitors has pushed prices to record highs. The market for buyers is also very active. In 2022, Russians bought nearly 40% of all apartments sold to foreigners in Phuket, according to the Thai Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Russian purchases significantly exceeded the amount spent by Chinese nationals, the next largest group of buyers, the REIC said.
While some Russians arrive on tourist visas, many need homes, schools, jobs and visas to stay on the island. This means that Russians who can afford it must apply for expensive property ownership visas such as the “Elite Card”, which allows long-term residence for a family.
However, the flow of Russians and Russian money to Thailand is also causing discontent in some quarters, particularly among local tourism companies who are concerned that Russians might take local jobs.
Read the full article here: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/2/22/russians-make-thailand-a-refuge-as-ukraine-war-enters-second-year
Escaping from conscription seems to me to be very easy in Russia. Sorry Vladimir I can't be a soldier right now because I'm going on vacation for an unlimited period of time. Good boy let me know when you get back hahahaha
We live in Rawai, Phuket. There is indeed an abundance of Russians here that not everyone is happy with
Lex, a Russian who fled from Russia 6 years ago with his wife and 2 children, as he says, is now regularly harassed by those others
According to him, they must be party members, otherwise they would never have been able to obtain an International Passport in Russia and never have had so much money, let alone channel it away.
Together with 4 other families, they are the only ones who are open to contacts here, the others are very rude, regularly cause misery in the nightlife and still believe that the Amis shot down the MH17
Immigration in Phuket doesn't have such a good name, but with these waves they also become less friendly to the "ordinary" farang.
By the way, don't rule out the Chinese because they are driven from the philosophical thoughts to accelerate a hybrid takeover of the world powers
Hans
Two weeks ago, a large group of cyclists came to the Baan Pal restaurant in Pak Nam Pran, south of Hua Hin. There I go with two friends (at the moment there are four of us) to take a break and have a cup of coffee during our cycling tour, twice a week.
We wondered where they came from. I heard a few words and thought it was Hungary, but on closer inspection it turned out they were from Kazakhstan and actually spoke Russian. The words I heard were meant to be more funny.
The young man I asked where they came from said he was from Russia himself, but had fled to Kazakhstan and now they were in Thailand for two weeks. He didn't want to fight against Ukraine.
I did like it. I have been to Kazakhstan (Almaty) through my work and I always liked it there.
Also in Pattaya, harrowing conditions with Russian refugees here. All those wretched women's lips and breasts all swollen with deprivation. Having to beg their husbands all day for a new handbag or a new pair of shoes. Not knowing what the next mall will bring them….
I think it's not too bad with: "Fleeing the country". What I understand is that the main reason is that the Russians who want to celebrate holidays in the European countries are no longer welcome and are welcome here.