News Forum - ‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’

[Thaiger]

Maybe Thailand should rebrand its Land of Smiles moniker to the Land of Russian Crime after yet another Russian man was nabbed for criminal activity. Yesterday, a 36 year old Russian national added his name to a catalogue of former Soviet block criminals arrested for reportedly operating illegal activities. Russian Ibragim Gaitukiev was arrested for … …

The story ‘Land of Smiles’ fast becoming ‘Land of Russian Crime’ as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Ramanathan.P]

Only Russians? What about the other nationals. From the many incidences in the past, it is obvious that Thaialnd is the heaven for most of the wanted criminals around the world. All are happily staying and enjoying life in Thailand with local girls as partners. So it is not fair to name only the Russians. In fact it should be " Land of Wanted VVIPs"

[MrStretch]

Geez, was there anyone that didn't see this coming?

As soon as they decided to grab that brass ruble by letting in Russians indiscriminately after Ukraine was invaded, there were several of us that said this was a bad idea.

And for this very reason.

[Pinetree]

The Russians tried all this stuff in Pattaya in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  The Thai Mafia got rid of them eventually, sometimes relatively peacefully, at other times not so much. Leave it to the local thugs and criminals and they will solve the problem, once it starts to really hurt their cash flow. Of course, you are only replacing like for like,  so it doesn't solve the underlying problem. 

[Marc26]

I can only go by my experience and not refuting the story

 

But we frequent Kamala Beach in Phuket 

And maybe because it's all Russian families but I never personally have had an issue with them and never seen them make any issues

 

To be quite honest 

I'd take those Russian families over the low class older Europeans that descend on Kamala during a certain time

Rude and classless.....

[ChrisS]

Bit slow with this story the Russian mafia have been excerting influence and money laundering in Thailand for decades, of course it stepped up with the big influx of young Russian draft dodgers when Putins war with Ukraine started. 

Thailand is the perfect place for all organised crime with a completely corrupt police force and institutional corruption at both local and national government level. Coupled with a Government that only ever sees Roubles/Dollars/Euro's/Pounds/Yuan and disregards any moral or ethical reasoning in favour of currency.

[Vigo]

12 hours ago, Marc26 said:

I can only go by my experience and not refuting the story

But we frequent Kamala Beach in Phuket 

And maybe because it's all Russian families but I never personally have had an issue with them and never seen them make any issues

To be quite honest 

I'd take those Russian families over the low class older Europeans that descend on Kamala during a certain time

Rude and classless.....

It is changing. Hua Hin used to be Russian families and they were low key and kept to themselves. A good demographic. Rarely any issues or problems. Now the families are a mix of out of control brats, nasty brutish men with equally vile wives or concubines or whatever they are, and too many arrogant, pushy slobs. It's like the Russian version of the guests on a Carnival cruise lines ship.

[Pinetree]

11 hours ago, ChrisS said:

a Government that only ever sees Roubles/Dollars/Euro's/Pounds/Yuan and disregards any moral or ethical reasoning in favour of currency.

Sounds like the UK. 

[Marc26]

15 minutes ago, Vigo said:

It is changing. Hua Hin used to be Russian families and they were low key and kept to themselves. A good demographic. Rarely any issues or problems. Now the families are a mix of out of control brats, nasty brutish men with equally vile wives or concubines or whatever they are, and too many arrogant, pushy slobs. It's like the Russian version of the guests on a Carnival cruise lines ship.

I was last in Kamala in December 

Didn't see any of that

 

Saw some young Russians that could probably get in some trouble on Surin Beach

 

Back in a few weeks

Will see if I notice any changes

[soulrider808]

I don't understand why the Thai government doesn't control the undesirable people from flocking into their country in droves! Thailand is suppose to be a safe country to retire and live.

[soulrider808]

That's disturbing to hear about Huahin being badly affected by bad Russians or others. I thought Huahin would be a nice town to retire without worrying about crime or undesirable people. I appreciate everyone's feedback here.