Russian Tourists Struggle to Leave Thailand Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Thousands of Russian tourists to Thailand are reportedly struggling to find a way home as international sanctions imposed over the Russia-Ukraine crisis have hit vacationers.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, a series of international sanctions were imposed on companies and banks, with some Russian airlines canceling flights and global payment companies suspending services. Russian tourists have been among the largest groups of visitors who have returned to Thailand’s beach resorts since restrictions on the pandemic were lifted, but many are now stranded with no round-trip tickets.

According to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor of the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT), 3,100 Russians remain stranded in Phuket, including 2,000 in Samui and a smaller number in Krabi, Phangnga and Bangkok.

Although Thailand has not banned Russian flights, international airspace restrictions have led some airlines, including Russian flagship Aeroflot, to cancel services, forcing tourists to seek alternative routes, such as through the Middle East with different carriers.

Many tourists have also been affected by the suspension of Visa and Mastercard operations. Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said officials are considering using the Mir system, a Russian electronic fund transfer facility, as well as digital currencies.

Pandemic travel restrictions hit the kingdom’s tourism-dominated economy, but the restrictions were eased in 2022, causing a wave of visitors.

According to the TAT, around 23,000 Russians visited Thailand in January of this year. Russian tourists previously accounted for the kingdom’s seventh share of visitors, with around 1.5 million visitors to Thailand in 2019.