The Associated Press reports that some 6,500 Russians are stranded in four provinces and cities in Thailand as tourists struggle with fewer airline options to return home and sanctions that have impacted their access to financial services.
Thailand Tourism Authority Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told a news outlet on Friday that 6,500 Russians were stranded in Pattaya and the provinces of Surat Thani, Krabi and Phuket. A thousand Ukrainians are also stuck in Thailand.
Because credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard have blocked Russian banks on their networks, Russians can’t pay their bills while abroad, one volunteer translator told AP.
Yutasak told the news outlet that officials have been trying to work with Russians to help them find tickets home given limited access to Russia.
“There are some airlines that still fly to Russia, but travelers have to transit through another country. We are trying to coordinate and look for flights for them,” he told AP.
Thai authorities are looking at low-cost options for Russians who may need to stay in the country for longer periods of time and are allowing a free 30-day visa extension.
The development shows some of the tangible effects of global sanctions on Russians outside the country, who have been cut off from financial services and forced to seek out airlines that are still willing to fly to Moscow.
In the final blow to Russia, President Biden
Joe BidenLeading Latin American MP Urges Biden to Accelerate Reunification of Ukrainians in US Democrats Develop Strategy to Challenge Expectations and Limit Medium Term Losses On Money – US Suspends Normal Trade with Russia the status of Russia, which in the United States allows Russian goods to be subject to lower tariffs in accordance with this status.