Thai Tourism claims Russians are BACK in their THOUSANDS
Thai media has reported that Russians are flooding back into Thailand on special charter flights.
Beneficiaries include Pattaya and Koh Samui and neighboring islands after dozens of Russian only charter flights were confirmed to have either already landed or are due between New Year and Songkran.
Naew Na reported that Nong Nuch gardens were giving a big “Nobro pozhalovat’ v Tailand” (welcome to Thailand) for the Russians.
The gardens put on an exclusive sound and light and Thai cultural show to showcase Thai culture for the Loy Krathong festival from Monday to Wednesday this week.
Kamphon Tansajja said that 4,000 Russians came in three batches of 1,300 a time on charter flights organised by three companies. They were all given eco-friendly krathongs to take part in the cultural extravaganza.
But this was only the start. The Russians – once scared off foreign travel including Thailand due to the collapse of the rouble – are now back in droves.
They will help ensure 40 million visitors a year after further positive news regarding Chinese and Indian visitors.
Elsewhere it was reported that 32 charter flights from one company alone will deliver 12,760 Russian tourists to the province of Surat Thani between December 27th and April 22nd.
Nongyao Jirandorn – director of Samui TAT – had been in touch with her counterparts in Moscow. All the tourists would be arriving 440 at a time on chartered B777-200s and going directly to the south.
She was clearly very happy about this.
They would stay for between 11 and 12 days each and take in tours to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto told Thai media that the Russians would give a great boost to the local tourism scene and he was delighted to have them back.
