Thousands of Russian tourists stuck in Thailand finding it hard to return home

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Thousands of Russian tourists in Thailand are finding it hard to trace a route home, with international sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine affecting holiday-makers.

Russia’s invasion in February triggered a host of international measures targeted toward businesses and banks, with some Russian carriers canceling flights and global payment firms suspending services.

Many Russians tourists visited Thailand’s beachside resorts with easing of pandemic restrictions, but they are now not able to find a return ticket.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) official ChattanKunjara Na Ayudhya said that 3,100 Russians are stuck in Phuket, while more than 2,000 are in Samui, and smaller numbers in Krabi, PhangNga and Bangkok.

The ministry is, however, working on helping these stranded touriststo go back home, including “discussion on return flights which could be regular or special flights”.

Many tourists have also been impacted by Visa and MasterCard suspending operations.As per Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry data, around 23,000 Russians traveled to Thailand in January this year.

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