Russians 'Raising Crime Levels in Phuket, Pattaya, Samui'
By Phuketwan Reporter Monday, December 10, 2012
PHUKET: Russians with criminal intentions are likely to move from Pattaya to Phuket in greater numbers, according to Thailand's Tourist Police chief.
Major General Roi Engkapairoj was on Phuket yesterday for a case involving the suspected murder of one Hungarian by two other Hungarians.
''Russians are the people with the largest profile in Pattaya,'' he said. ''When they are in conflict with each other, one group moves on to Phuket or Samui.''
He said Hungarians were not nearly as noticable as the Russians, and local authorities needed to be aware of the trend.
He said the Tourist Police aimed to fully inform people about Thai laws.
''We don't have enough officers so we need to make use of websites, email, call centres and holines,'' he said.
Conflicts fell into several categories: foreigner versus foreigner, foreigner versus Thai and Thai versus foreigners, he said.
He added that there were three kinds of expats in Thailand: those who came to relax and enjoy a holiday; those who came and stayed with a Thai wife or in retirement, and those who came with criminal intent.
Working with international agencies and the countries where the potential criminals originated was the way to beath the problem, he said.
''We need good people who are not part of these criminal groups to report any unlawful activity,'' he said.
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Comments
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This is just the sort of news Phuket does not need; but thanks for the warning. No wonder the long term resident expats have been leaving in droves. I only come for diving now, as all my golfing friends have moved on. Thank goodness I heard yesterday that my golf club membership has been sold on. I never dreamed, when I first arrived in Phuket 17 years ago, that it would get to this stage.
Posted by
Logic
on
December 10, 2012 12:12
Only three groups of expats ?
Perhaps Major General Roi Engkapairoj has never heard of expats who live and work here just like normal people.
Don't drink in excess, don't solicitate with the bar girls and don't even have a Thai wife or GF.
I would be one of those, with all the necessary permits etc and you can find thousands more just on Phuket alone. In BKK they'll number in tens of thousands.
I would welcome Major General Roi Engkapairoj to aquire a broader perspective on foreigners living in Thailand.
Who knows, he might find the "good people" he is looking for.
Posted by
Andrew
on
December 10, 2012 12:16
I notice that some establishments in Kata and Karon, have signs at their doors saying " No Russians Admitted." Are the Russians starting to be banned from places in Phuket, just like in Europe?
Posted by
Robin
on
December 10, 2012 13:14
As I have written before, in a comment that was partly obliterated, the old stock of tourists from England, Scandinavia and Australia is slowly diminishing in favor of people like the Russians.
Their manners are questionable. Last year I watched a group of - probably - non-criminal Russians buy water at a 7-11 and then occupy two tables at a nearby cafe drinking their water.
The future of Phuket?
Posted by
Remarkable
on
December 10, 2012 14:29
He also forgot the foreign investors. A great deal of foreign money is invested in legal Thai companies, which pay tax and employs Thai people.
Posted by
Sherlock
on
December 10, 2012 15:48
''We need good people who are not part of these criminal groups to report any unlawful activity,''.
Why not start with Thai Immigration. It is these people who grant entry visas in the first place. Do they have a relevant database? Do they do background checks? If they come on tourist visas, do the ''tourists'' have return tickets? Do more thorough checks when renewing visas. If one is even suspected of criminal activity, kick him/them out of the country.
So many ways to stop them before they start their criminal activities, it shouldn't be that hard.
Posted by
Pete
on
December 10, 2012 15:52
I go to Phuket for several months every year, and i have just come back from there. I was absolutely stunned by the amount of Russians i saw this time. Russia must be empty . I always find it interesting how an outside criminal culture can set up in a country like Thailand . I always imagined stronger opposition from the locals , but then maybe its just a matter of paying your way in,.....i dont know, ive seen too many movies i think.
Posted by
carvets
on
December 10, 2012 16:32
what about the chinese? indians?
i have never experienced any problem with russians. i think they normal people and i never saw anything bad happen with them. why so negative?
Posted by
mike
on
December 10, 2012 17:56
Mike you need to get out more the way the Russians conduct themselves here is disgraceful. Ignorant arrogant and just plain rude are the terms I've heard from both Thais and expats not a please or thank you ever they treat Thai people like dirt, god help us if the real scumbags are moving south from pattaya best get in some extra body bags for patong hospital Mr Mayor.
Posted by
Scunner
on
December 10, 2012 18:55
Thailand is very popular with the Russians, and of course it is in one respect its home from home, just a bit more sun. The one thing that Russians can relate to is that corruption is something they are familiar with, and since Thais can be bought why would they not find Thailand attractive ?
Posted by
reader
on
December 10, 2012 20:04
He seems to have completely left foreign women operating businesses out who are automatically disadvantaged by the foreigner labor laws.
Posted by
CBF
on
December 10, 2012 20:23
Perhaps 40% of our customers are currently Russians or from former Soviet states. About 3 years ago we had virtually none.
There are some really nice people and some not so nice. Could say this about any nationality.
I've been dealing with Russians pretty much all my adult life and there are certain differences to the west and perhaps surprising similarities to Thais.
For similarities, bending and breaking rules and getting away with it would top my list. Ignorance to causing disturbance to neighbours through noise or other activities a close second. Poor English skills on par with Thais too.
Unlike Thais, they have no fear of the local police. Theirs is a lot worse. They also dress far more provocatively. Women often wear no bras.
Some have a lot of money and behave like your typical noveau rich. Plenty of dough but no manners, expecting everyone to be subservient and bend over backwards to please them.
Those would be the negatives and I think the unwillingness to abide by the law and general rules of behaviour is what riles up many of us from the west.
On the positive side they are hospitable and warm people. Friendships forged for the desire to have friends, not to benefit from you.
They keep their homes very clean and tidy, no garbage around. They love kids and have plenty.
They are warm and loving people with a big heart but perhaps a bit rough around the edges.
Then again, as one of my Russian friends told me long time ago when I presented her with the same "list" -
"Well, you know, during the Soviet times if you did not know how to skirt the law, you would not survive"
That was about one generation ago and changes are clearly visible today.
I welcome all our Russian customers and only wish that I spoke more Russian than just "Spasiba" and "Pozalusta"
Posted by
Andrew
on
December 10, 2012 20:28
The Russians know how the game is played. Check their score on transparency international> 28 to Thailands 37.
So yes, these are a special dangerous bunch of businessmen. Not the ordinary tourist though.
Posted by
Lena
on
December 10, 2012 22:05
I think that most of these comments are pure racism ! It would be better if some of them stayed at home and keep washing their brains by state media news and wait for the great war against Russia ! It would make them far more happy !
Posted by
Non Russian
on
December 11, 2012 00:42
Forget about 4 th kind of expat.........who work and live here for business or stay with child too:) I think too many for work or business..........
Posted by
giuliano
on
December 11, 2012 11:37
Non Russian, sadly we not racists,we just despise the Russians due to their total lack of respect for hotel property, laws, other tourists peace and quiet etc.They are rude ,pushy, loud arrogant and will not talk to the hotel staff as its below them, they use a guide. The Thai people in the shops restaurants etc dispise them, and every person of every nationality I spoke to, hates them.
When they come to a foreign country they need to respect the rules of that country and the establishments.. I think the signs in the stores telling Russians they not welcome sums it up. I am definitely not a Racist but I will not tolerate a Russian being rude to me or Thai staff around me and I am Very vocal about it when it happens,
Posted by
Gregg Cornell
on
December 11, 2012 23:58
solution, ask a visa for the russians, no visa policy is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by
liam
on
December 18, 2012 00:47
My two coins! :) Russian is different! We are have a fun when seen any american movies. Any bad hero - russian! Why scenarist making this one? May be he have a salary for put in you brain image of enemy? This is short way for making money on the selling weapon and wars.
My friends, educated, sympathetic, kind and honest. They do not like rudeness and ignorance from any nation. They have a lot of friends from different countries. Please! Open your eyes!
Posted by
Oleg
on
December 18, 2012 13:46
V Faye, Sex pats like the men who marry Thai women so as to have personal body servants? She Cooks! She Serves! She Cleans! She Provides Sex on Demand !! And she gets you a diminished Thai worker rule on a business - I wish I could have a Thai wife. Get a Thai husband? Sorry, I am not that desperate to be a servant.
Posted by
CBF
on
January 1, 2013 08:47
After speaking with my friend in Hong Kong who works for Interpol. The Russians that are here in Phuket are DRUG BARONS!
Lovely, just what we need.
Posted by
OlegM
on
January 9, 2013 18:32
Haha,
Turkey, Egypte and most of the countries in Europe. Russian are not welcome anymore there.
I'm from Holland, and travelagency here already have resorts and hotels in theire books with a Russian free garantee!!
I use to live here in Phuket, I moved for business to AMS 22 years ago.
Not going back anymore, I just bought a place in Lampang. Much nicer, and 100% Russian free!!
Posted by
Num
on
January 26, 2013 00:14
who can we report to. The Thai Police or the countries embassys who can push the police and provide them with accurate information.
If i walk into a police station and claim that a local Russian is a big mafia man. i dont think i shall be taken very seriously
Posted by
simon
on
May 7, 2013 02:38
There are good Russians and a lot of bad, more bad Russians than good, the price of property will fall if they keep coming, Thailand Don't realise what they are letting themselves into if they keep coming.
Five years from now see what phuket will be like Thailand thinks its ok now Because they are spending a bit of money.the fireworks have not started Yet. No one with money will want to come here, I forgot the guns have not started yet.
Posted by
Robert
on
June 15, 2013 07:52
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This is just the sort of news Phuket does not need; but thanks for the warning. No wonder the long term resident expats have been leaving in droves. I only come for diving now, as all my golfing friends have moved on. Thank goodness I heard yesterday that my golf club membership has been sold on. I never dreamed, when I first arrived in Phuket 17 years ago, that it would get to this stage.
Posted by Logic on December 10, 2012 12:12