Phuket, Thailand – Chinese tourism has fueled the economy of this island paradise for many years, which is known for tropical weather, breathtaking sunsets and foreign accommodations.
But with the full invasion of Russia three years ago, Thailand's island of Phuket is transformed into a different kind of short vacation: a refuge for Russians that flee from military conscription, political oppression and the economic effects of Western sanctions.
Companies in Phuket – many still recover from pandemic – have reacted quickly and enthusiastically.
Restaurants now serve sweet porridge. Food shops sell sauerkraut, Borschtsch and Blinis with cottage cheese. Fitness studios offer polar baths and saunas, while Russian -speaking signs appeared in busy districts. A entertainment lounge opened two years ago advertises Trivia nights, film exhibitions and live actors -all in Russian.
Phuket becomes “small Moscow”, jokes Boon Yongsakul, Vice President of the Phuket Real Estate Assn.
Some of the island's attractions, such as international schools and long -term visa options, have long been a draw for foreigners. Since the western sanctions make bank transactions and trips through Europe for the Russians, Phukets Bash-friendly real estate market and direct flights from the Middle East have improved its attraction.
From 2022, Russia was the largest source for foreign arrivals in Phuket, according to the Data of the Phuket Tourist Police. Since then, the number of visitors has quadrupled at 1.03 million annually.
Thailand hungry for more tourists and encouraged the trend to continue. The Thailand tourism authority aims to attract 2.2 million Russian tourists this year compared to around 1.7 million in 2024. In 2023, Moscow opened a consulate in Phuket to serve the growing number of Russian citizens.
“Since more and more people realize that it is safe here, the communities are growing,” said Yongsakul. “You have your own churches, your own shops, your own food.”
Bogdan Martianov, a 25-year-old tech employee from St. Petersburg, Russia, wanted to avoid fighting at the Ukraine decline. So he flew to Argentina and was looking for political asylum. For two years he lived and worked in La Plata, an hour's drive from Buenos Aires.
In November restlessly about the economic effects of the austerity measures under the new Argentine President Javier Milei flew to Phuket to join some friends who had also fled from Russia.
Martianov initially planned a two -month trip. But the lightness of life and the existing Russian community convinced him to stay at least in spring.
“This is like a preferred zone in which we can meet,” he said. “That's why I'm here and why I want to stay here.”
Many of the newly arrived Russians have gathered on the west side near Bang Tao Beach, where Yongsakul has several luxury objects.
He estimates that the prices for condominiums have almost doubled since 2020, while land prices have risen by about 50%, partly due to the demand from Russian buyers.
Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, a consulting company for hospitality and real estate advice in Phuket, said that Russian tourists started visiting larger numbers 10 years ago, since the improvement in economic conditions made it possible to improve. The warm climate was a welcome change compared to winter in Eastern Europe.
Thailand also makes it easier for foreigners to buy real estate, said Barnett, a blessing for Russians looking for a place where they can park their money. “Phuket Real Estate has become the bank for Russian investors,” he said.
Your arrival has granted the island's tourism-dependent economy to an urgently needed thrust. However, it has also triggered a controversy among the locals, how Russian transplants convert tourism and everyday life in Phuket.
“This is a positive thing for real estate, but not for the entire community,” said Yongsakul.
Thinakorn Jommung, President of Patong Public Transport, said Russen, just as the Chinese visitors did in front of them, build their own tourism agencies and businesses and cut out Thai people like him.
Despite the increase in travelers, said Jommoung, his income remained more or less the same.
“They bring a lot of money into it, but the money doesn't go to people like me. In the end, all of the money goes back to Russia, China or Korea, ”said Jommung. “Small business owners die one after the other because they cannot get customers.”
He said, although the number of tourists is now increasing, the bookings have decreased by about a third of the 25,000 local drivers he represents, compared to the business before the pandemic.
He also fears that Russians are laws to protect local employment, e.g.
Krit Thepbumrung, President of the Andaman Tour Guides Assn, said that five years ago, most hundreds of non -licensed travel guides in Phuket Chinese were.
Today, most Russians are, said ThePbum, who heads a voluntary task force for the police authority to track down illegal travel guides.
Thepbummung said that he had also received more reports about Russians that exceed their visa, but it was impossible to appreciate the scope of the problem.
In the meantime, the financing of the local police neglects in order to solve these problems together with the stress of traffic, waste disposal and another infrastructure, take into account all foreign arrivals, especially those that remain beyond their visa allowance, he said.
With regard to complaints, the police arrested dozens of Russians last year because they suspected of violating the business laws, Radio Free Asia. Other local media reports from Russians who participate in fraud or robberies have increased the concerns about misconduct in the recent arrivals.
Perhaps not surprising, the migration of Russians – and the resulting cultural clip – has many locals who welcome visitors but are worried about losing jobs and quality of life.
“In the past, Phuket wasn't that chaotic,” said Thepbum. “I don't want to say that we don't want them. But we want good quality (tourists). It must be balanced. “
Phuket was the first place in Thailand, which was reopened in 2021 after the pandemic disabled international trips in large parts of the world.
Sergei Skorupa, 34, saw the fast growth of Russian tourists and decided to open a motorcycle rental service in Phuket two years ago with his Thai partner.
Skorupa comes from Moscow and moved to Phuket in 2021, from the sun, the sea and a greater economic opportunity than in Russia.
Skorupa was aware that foreign companies had become a sensitive topic and found that his Thai girlfriend has the majority of the business according to the local laws. He said he only hires Thai workers, although it has led to collisions in their work styles.
But he said he saw larger prospects in Thailand and plans to stay.
“We live in the government system in Russia,” said Skorupa, who worked at home in a state transport company. “But here we have freedom. We can develop our own business. … I feel safe here; That is very important. ”