Thai authorities warned on March 13 that international sanctions against Russia had stranded thousands of Russian tourists at the airport.
From Moscow to Phuket, economic sanctions imposed by the European Union seem to be causing a cascade effect.
Russian banks and companies heavily affected by restrictive measures were forced to suspend their activities, which led to the cancellation of flights or the suspension of banking operations.
3100 Russians stuck in Phuket
Having left en masse after the removal of sanitary restrictions imposed in connection with the Covid-19 epidemic, Russian tourists found themselves without a return ticket.
And not only the city of Phuket is concerned: there will be 2,000 Russians on Koh Samui. Also, according to the Thai authorities, a number of Russian citizens are scattered throughout Thailand, from Phang Nga to Bangkok.
Slow evacuation
According to statements to AFP by Thailand’s tourism chief Chattan Kunjar Na Ayudha, the country is trying to help Russian tourists by holding “return flight discussions” and thus negotiating “regular or special flights.”
As for the Phuket Tourism Association, the difficulties will be more related to bank transactions: “We have seen cases of difficulties when paying with a card by Russians,” said its president, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam.
No ban on Russian flights to Thailand
Although Thailand has not followed in the footsteps of the European Union with regard to sanctions, the country has been indirectly affected by them. We are talking about the limitation of international airspace and the subsequent cancellation of some connections.
Therefore, in order to leave Southeast Asia, Russian tourists must look for alternative routes, in particular, transit through the Middle East.
The president of the association, Bhummikitti Ruktaenga, said that to overcome these sanctions, he is thinking about adopting digital currencies, as well as the Russian Mir system. Card “Mir” offers in its portfolio of services an electronic money transfer.