Tour Operators Concerned About Noisy Russian Tourists

[thaimlord]

This is a growing problem for some of the Thais too.

I have the privilege to have been living for six years as the only permanent Farang in a small community of maybe 800, dependent largely on the tourist baht. The community does very well financially as a general rule. Despite what I read in some of these forums, the Thais treat me as if I'm someone really special, and I'm humbled and thankful to have these people in my life.

Weekend visitors are Thai, but through the rest of the week, predominantly Russians. Without a single local exception, the Russians are despised for their loud, rude and cheap behaviour.

In one incident, a group of two Russian males and one female entered the restaurant of a woman-friend of mine, selected three drinks, and were told the price. They then started haranguing her with loud voices and aggressive gestures to drop her price by 10 baht for the three drinks. That's right, 10 baht was worth making a scene about.

In frustration she finally told them to go away but they didn't, and I felt the need to go over and give her some support. One Russian told me her price was too high, I told him he could either pay it, or go next door to the 7/11, save the 10 baht, and stand in the queue for 45 minutes to make the purchase.

After consideration, and without a word to her or to me, he literally threw the full money on the counter, grabbed the drinks, pushed straight past me, followed by his compatriats.

Unnecessary, inflammatory, inconsiderate and pointless. I was fuming but Fon told me it happened all the time. On relating the incident to some Thai friends that evening, several joined in with corroborating stories from that day alone.

TL

[jeanpierre]

let the russian come

so they can rob them instead of us

[sirchai]

Well he may have tagged the wrong city, but Russians have been rated the #1 worst tourist in the world.

http://www.tourisman...e_badly_abroad_

According to ATOR Analytical Service, the number of Russian tourists visiting Thailand is showing high growth with the number of Russians visiting in January high season up 48% from the previous year.

Thailand's biggest competition in the future will be the Caribbean, particularly Mexico, said Mr Clemens.

Russians are the only guys who are allowed to fly into Thailand via Uta Pao airport. Sorry, but the majority of them are part of the Mafia, most of the females are illegally here to sell their bodies to rich Thai men.

Most of them behave very badly, money solves all problems here. Free Wodka for all TV members !!!!!!!!!!!!!:jap:

Edited June 11, 2011 by sirchai

[Mamboking]

I am originally from BKK. Have moved to live in Pattaya somewhat 10 years ago. So Pattaya is now my home.

Pattaya needs tourists. We had a lot of Russians early this year. Now more Indians.

I am Thai and I do respect different cultures.

Talking about politenes, most nationality have good and bad people. Personally, I find Russians stick to their own group. They have different manners as they were brought up that way.

They come to Pattaya to enjoy. I see them shop a lot more than other nationalities who just come here for sex.

Ones can be noisy and disrespectful. No matter they are Russian, English, German or etc... They do things that they would not dare to do in their own countries.

Wise words.

[thaimlord]

This statement is in the OP: "Given the makeup of tourism in Pattaya, it would appear the CEO is referring to the growing number of Russian tourists coming to Thailand."

This phrase is not present in the original Bangkok Post article, in fact there is no mention of Russians in the original article.

Where does the anti Russian bias and prejudice come from???

At the end of the day, you take the Russians' money means you accept them as customers, so as service providers, you just shut up and drive. If you are a foreigner and you don't like another group of foreigners, well tough tits. So what if I don't like Russians, Chinese, Thais, English, Americans etc etc...best I leave my own personal emotional baggage at the airport when I arrived in Thailand.

Just read it now. Hmm, you're right. Not a mention of Russians at all.

But if you want to know where the bias comes from, immerse yourself in an area with a concentration of them and soon it will become clear.

TL

Edited June 11, 2011 by thaimlord

[lazygourmet]

stereotyping is a terrible thing.

+1

Welcome to ThaiVisa...

[Mamboking]

Well he may have tagged the wrong city, but Russians have been rated the #1 worst tourist in the world.

http://www.tourisman...e_badly_abroad_

According to ATOR Analytical Service, the number of Russian tourists visiting Thailand is showing high growth with the number of Russians visiting in January high season up 48% from the previous year.

Thailand's biggest competition in the future will be the Caribbean, particularly Mexico, said Mr Clemens.

Russians are the only guys who are allowed to fly into Thailand via Uta Pao airport. Sorry, but the majority of them are part of the Mafia, most of the females are illegally here to sell their bodies to rich Thai men.

Most of them behave very badly, money solves all problems here. Free Wodka for all TV members !!!!!!!!!!!!!:jap:

Yeah, one more brainwashed person - bears, vodka, balalaika, Russian mafia.

[Mortiphobia]

Pure and simple Russophobia. Scandinavians, particularly the Fins have always viewed Russians in a negative light, and that has nothing to do with noise or other bullshit this article is referring to.

[arrowsdawdle]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham.I must add this guy sounds a little crazy ( read a lot ) to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

There are reasons your Los Angeles relatives do not want to cross the border to Mexico. They are not tourists. They would be visiting family. Corssing the border is done by car or by foot. And plates from the other side are an invitation to criminals. It can be the same in Miami or Los Angeles. If you do not remove the rental car sticker from your window or bumper, you run an increased risk of crime.

Mexicans harbor resentment for those "chicanadas" that have left the homeland for the other side. Not so much by family because of the dinero sent home regularly, but by non-family. If your relatives were to visit one of the major resort destinations, behaved themselves and used common sense, there would be little cause for concern. Sure there have been incidents, like one girl that was walking alone on the beach after midnight. You would be ill-advised to do that in Waikiki or Malibu, so why would you do it in Mexico? A little common sense goes a long way.

Mexico is light years ahead of Thailand and most other third-world countries in tourism development. It began in the early 1980s with solid research and a matching funds strategy that cooperatively enhanced their marketing resources. Officials here turn their nose up at research offered for free that the Mexicans paid $6 million to accumulate. How arrognorant. The research has already been deployed and proved successful. Officials here think Thailand is different. It's not about Thailand. It is about the customers. You are drawing from the same pool of international travelers and to be globally competitive you have to know what they want and give it to them.

[doggie888888]

This statement is in the OP: "Given the makeup of tourism in Pattaya, it would appear the CEO is referring to the growing number of Russian tourists coming to Thailand."

This phrase is not present in the original Bangkok Post article, in fact there is no mention of Russians in the original article.

Where does the anti Russian bias and prejudice come from???

At the end of the day, you take the Russians' money means you accept them as customers, so as service providers, you just shut up and drive. If you are a foreigner and you don't like another group of foreigners, well tough tits. So what if I don't like Russians, Chinese, Thais, English, Americans etc etc...best I leave my own personal emotional baggage at the airport when I arrived in Thailand.

Just read it now. Hmm, you're right. Not a mention of Russians at all.

But if you want to know where the bias comes from, immerse yourself in an area with a concentration of them and soon it will become clear.

TL

I live near Wongamat beach and there are indeed many Russians here. To be honest, they are no worse than the English, Germans, Koreans etc that appear all over Pattaya in different concentrations. Personally, I have had more bad experiences with drunken English louts in Pattaya than with Russians. Some Russians are a bit odd, but hey who am I to judge.

[Thailand Traveler]

I do not think that Mr. CEO of TUI NORDIC is much interested in "how noisy" the Soviet Union tourists (Sovok) are, rather he is much concerned about the number of rooms in allotment his administrated outbound tour companies will manage to negoziate from cheap minded hotels for chartered flights arriving in Thailand the coming winter season, and the fact that Pattaya will be sooner or later renamed something like "PATTAYAGRAD" (or similar) on geographical maps. However, in my opinion it is NOT FAIR as well as offensive, to label Pattaya as the "brothel of the world" a term that is grossly diminishing what could be easily likened to a new SODOM, and sister Patong to a new GOMORRAH. Indeed both cities are finely headed to become true Empires of Senses.

Ref.: Sodom & Gomorrah

"At night they will think they have seen the Sun,

When they see the half-pig man.

Noise, screams battles seen fought in the skies.

The brute beasts will be heard to speak".

Nostradamus, Century I, Quatrain 64

Edited June 11, 2011 by Thailand Traveler

[Thai-Spy]

Nationals of majority white, non-Slavic countries accounted for only a quarter of hotel check-ins in Chonburi Province in 2010 per TAT stats. Anyone who is harboring nostalgia for a whiter-than-white Pattaya is just setting themselves up for disappointment.

[ScubaBuddha]

.... to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

Yes I got a laugh out of the Mexico comment also. There is a war going on there. My sister used to go to Mexico frequently from Texas but now they even avoid the road that runs along the border. So if this author is so far off in that respect than how accurate is his other info?!

As for Mexico, Cancun is still a huge tourist destination regardless of the problems in the rest of the country.

Not to mention Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, and numerous other popular travel destinations. The border cities are to be avoided these days (Tijuana, Juarez, etc), but the beach cities further south are still super popular and largely untouched by drug violence.

Puerto Vallarta, San Jose Del Cabo, Cozumel, La Paz, Baja California, The Yucatan, etc etc. Scandis and Ruskies don't visit Mexico via car from California or Texas.

[ronthai]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham.I must add this guy sounds a little crazy ( read a lot ) to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

Guess all you and most others ever see are the night time bar area's and sleeping (a hangover) daytime away. Yes, Pattaya probably is the biggest brothel in the world, he I love it. I live here 8 years. I am done with the brothels, but Pattaya has much more then that. Expand your knowledge and live here in Pattaya and you will see many good things and area's in and around Pattaya that are great and nice for families also.

Try and get some other friends then just the drinking bar buddies, might also help.

And yes the Russians can be very annoying, but so can many other people and cultures.

So they stick together in there area's, just like German bars and French bars. They do not speak the international Pattaya language (bad English). So what, if they do not bother me, welcome and come again.

Edited June 11, 2011 by ronthai

[Daewoo]

I am just surprised that a scandinavian tour company is encouraging hotels to diversify their client nationalities by book only with hotels that cater exclusively to scandinavians.

Hypocritical much?

Daewoo

[whatchamacallit]

You would think the Scandinavians would be more tolerant and accepting of different race and culture? Why single out a certain nationality (race)?

[arthurwait]

I've been living in Patts for over 4 of the past 6 years. I've seen first hand the transition it's taken between having a handful of Russians here and not being able to swing a cat without hitting 10 of them. In that time, I've also had a sharp rise in the number of issues I've had with non Thais in Thailand and it's been due to annoying, rude Russians. For whatever reason, the majority of them simply seem to not care about others. They have this unfounded sense of superiority and are oblivious to others. Sometimes this works out as they simply ignore anyone that is not Russian that they don't HAVE to interact with. But the rest of the time, they simply act as if they're entitled to do as they wish.

I've stayed in hotels with a large number of Russians, Indians, Arabs and Chinese and I can say, completely based off experience and not prejudice that the Russians and Arabs were the worst. In terms of being loud and inconsiderate of others, they win hands down.

Who cares if they spend some money? I guarantee I've spent more money than many dozens of average Russian tourists and I did it without being an asshol_e to others. They don't make up the even a quarter of the total tourism market so if thy're annoying the other 75%+ then it's a problem. Russians may spend money on hotel rooms but that's about it. They don't spend money in small/medium locally owned business unless it's selling Russian food or one of the few nightlife spots that cater to them. They are quite stingy, don't tip and don't spread their money around.

I see Russian tourists spending their money everywhere yet I have never been to a Russian owned business.

So if the few hotels, restaurants and nightlife venues that cater to them went out of business, no one would notice except that Patts was a nicer place of all sudden. This town does not need them to survive at all. It did just fine 6-7 years ago when the Russian market was a tiny fraction of total tourism and it was doing much better without their wanna-be mafia crime groups.

As for the Chinese, it's completely different. I've never seen Chinese tourists mingling with others. They go to hotels that exclusively cater to the Asian tour operators, stick together in tight packs with tour guides and that's about it. Unless you purposely sought out a hotel or restaurant that the tour operates bring them to, you would never see them. Well, except for when they are being bussed in and out of town.

With so many Thais being of Chinese decent mainly those with money to spend going on holidays and trips how do you know without speaking to them if they are Chinese Thai or Chinese tourists in hotels, restaurants, shopping centres etc. ?

And why should I have to accept other people being rude and inconsiderate or stay home? Why should the status quo be to just assume that when I go somewhere on holiday that I will have to deal with low class, annoying people?

Sorry but it's other way around... If you can't act like a decent, civilized person and have some respect for others, then YOU stay home.

Someone who lives in Pattaya, a place judged by people around the world as being the sleaziest place on earth judging other peoples standards based on where they live is funny.

[arthurwait]

So they don't want to send there customers somewhere because of noisy Russians, but they are not worried about the pickups full of speakers blaring music out day and night or the noise from the bars etc until virtually daylight.

[regfrancis]

I dont know about Russians, but my Norweegen neighbor is unbelievably inconsiderate with his music at 4 in the morning. I soundproofed the wall so he bought a louder sound system.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Time to wake up and learn for others TOT

Back in the 80's Las Vagas did the family friendly route. It failed very badly. After pushing that for about 10 years they gave up and switched to the naughty city it is. "what happens in Vagas stays in Vagas" things turned around, and were much better for Vagas as a place to go, have fun, then return home. Here they say family friendly in Pattaya, where do I park my car ? No where near where I want to go. What can I do with my 10 year old daughter ? GO to the beack and look at the hookers get work or the jet skier scam the tourist ? Let's all just be truthful and call it what it is

[zydeco]

Well he may have tagged the wrong city, but Russians have been rated the #1 worst tourist in the world.

http://www.tourisman...e_badly_abroad_

. . . Thailand is showing high growth with the number of Russians visiting in January high season up 48% from the previous year.

Thailand's biggest competition in the future will be the Caribbean, particularly Mexico . . .

Mexicans and Russians! They deserve each other.

[Markaew]

<br />There are already in Pattaya some places exclusively made for Scandinavian , so I propose they stick to it , if they cannot accept that other people have different way of being on holidays ,they should stay home. <br />Russians can be noisy but they pay like any body else , dont forget that Russian only travel not long ago and they have to learn many things. Do you want to lock your tourists in some "ghettos" to have peace ? Ridiculous ..... I been in many hotels full of Russian tourists , they are not more noisy than some drunk English or Germans. And without those Russians , many hotels would have already closed in Thailand. <br />I dont like Chinese tourists , they have no manners at all , shall I ask the hotels to change their policy ? <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

I have taken your advice and stayed home, from Pattaya that is. The last time I went was in January and it was easily 98% Russian in the hotel that I was in and on the streets. Not 98% in the bars but an easy majority. Russians have a certain hostility/aggression that is uncomfortable to be around especially when I want to relax on a short vacation from Bkk. I tried to cope but after a few days I went home. Not going back.

[anterian]

Some films need an over 18 certificate, perhaps Pattaya needs the same

In England we find Americans and Aussies noisy, In Slovenia we found the Italians noisy, In France we found the Dutch and Germans noisy, in Thailand and the Philippines I find the locals noisy.

Noisiness is such a subjective thing :jap:

[Colin Yai]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham

I totally agree with you, that's why I never went to Pattaya...

not that I don't like sex but, for what I heard about the place I'm rather sure that it's not the kind of tourist site that I would love to stay in.

Yeah I'll second that,I do not know who's leg they are trying to pull ,its not rocket science why the majority of male tourists go to Pattaya ,anyone thinking any different should seek medical help!.

[OZEMADE]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham.I must add this guy sounds a little crazy ( read a lot ) to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

good reply. Also I usually find the Brits and Aussies a pretty noisy lot compared to other nationalities

I think you will find all nationality's are pretty boisterous when they are half whacked and having a good time.

[harrycallahan]

I kind of like the brash style of the Russians, it's a stark contrast to the 'lonely planet' driven BS about showing respect for the culture when the culture is so hypocritical and racist. Just wish they were more open to outsiders.

[monkfish]

I Know both Russians & Swedish living in Patt's and by far the Swedes are the noisiest and most obnoxious.

When on the tourist side of Patt's i.e. Sex City part I didn't notice which nationality makes the most noise it just seems everyone makes a load of noise.

Russians do have better business ethics than most other foreign nationals and do a lot better in business.

May be that's really what the article is really about?

Thai's also seem to like Russians so getting stuff done must be a whole lot easier.

Pattaya does have the potential to be a Tourist destination for none Sex seeking tourists from Thailand

and before the Americans arrived was a popular destination for Thai's. Now a lot of Thai's head to Hau Hin, but even that's starting to get a bad reputation. I believe there is a famous Thai song with the Title something like Heu Hin and the Thai songs about Patt's

Edit: Is this a Russian bashing thread? I though that was against TV rules

Funny the original Article doesn't say anything about Russians!

Yet TV has managed to turn this into a Russian bashing thread!

Edited June 11, 2011 by monkfish

[moe666]

Pure and simple Russophobia. Scandinavians, particularly the Fins have always viewed Russians in a negative light, and that has nothing to do with noise or other bullshit this article is referring to.

Yea, they where envaded by the Russians and lost part of there country to Russia

[hardy1943]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham.I must add this guy sounds a little crazy ( read a lot ) to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

Just typical reporting from the local fish rapper "The Nation" Why do we never hear article from the Bangkok Post? I should not be even commenting!

I am waiting for a post from "The Nation" There is a Easter bunny! Go ahead and sensor me.

[Colin Yai]

What a crock, European tourists do not go to Pattaya to learn about the Thai culture they go for sex, if they arrive totally unaware that Pattaya is the biggest brothel in the world they pretty soon find out and have a disappointing holiday. I must add I admire the large expensive hotel chains that are moving in, but being a cynic I suspect they have their eye on the rich middle East guys rather than mum, dad, granny and the three kids from Birmingham.I must add this guy sounds a little crazy ( read a lot ) to suggest Mexico will be a rival to Thiland ref tourism, nobody dare go to Mexico because of the drug murders. I have Mexican relatives living in LA who are too afraid to cross the border to visit their own family. does this guy work for TOT //???????

Sorry but ur post is a crock. TUI is a package tour company that cosset their guests from the seedier side of Pattaya, they don't have planes full of sex tourists as the generally travel independently.

As for Mexico, Cancun is still a huge tourist destination regardless of the problems in the rest of the country.

Jeez, gotta love Thaivisa, old crones with no knowledge of the subject tapping away on their keyboards like the fountain of all knowledge. I heard a guy in a bar a few days ago tell another old crone 'you've got nothing to say, and you are saying too much of it'. Rather fitting don't you think....

I agree totally with your statement. I went to Cozumel last year to SCUBA dive with my brother who still lives in the states. Not one problem. Flew direct from Houston. And the plane was packed both ways. I am one of the old cronies, but I have lived in Pattaya for 24 years and except for the BIB which are everywhere I have had no problems. Loud Russians, of course. But the Brits, wow. Soccer hooligans delux. Loud cocky fighters with men or women. And they are everywhere you go. Not just Thailand.

I have to agree and I'm English, here we go, here we go, here we gowa ,is the normal"war cry" when full of liquid courage ,pure embarrassment for anyone within 100 yards of them!.