A rowdy meeting last Friday afternoon at the Karon Municipality offices condemned the business activities of Russians in the area which, local people say, are depriving them of their livelihoods.
Placards read “We don’t need you! Get out! Get out!”, and “Brothers and sisters, we must block Russians from the tour, restaurant, massage and other businesses.”
But whether the Phuket – Thai and expatriate alike – community likes it or not, the Russians are here to stay, adding another ingredient to the melting pot of cultures that make up our island.
Russians travelling abroad in large numbers is a relatively new phenomenon, and they have only starting arriving in Phuket in force over recent years.
Like everyone else, they have their own culture and quirks, though, unlike many Westerners, they often have limited English ability and as such aren’t integrating as quickly into the community.
There’s also the fact that many people don’t like change, and sometimes new and unfamiliar things can be seen as a threat, such as in the case of many people’s attitudes towards the new arrivals.
Chances are you’ve heard of Thais and foreigners bagging Russians and their way of going about things, or perhaps you’ve even criticised them yourself. This is unfair and unjustified.
While some of them might be up to no good, the large majority are just like all the other expats here – they’ve spotted something special in Phuket and have come to make it their home.
It’s quite likely that Phuket’s Thai people had the same attitude when large numbers of Westerners began arriving in the mid 1990s, hoping to establish a good life here.
There might have been initial protest at the different culture, and way of life of these new arrivals, but over time they have largely been recognised as having made a valuable – both financial and cultural – contribution to the life of Phuket and the economy.
Eventually the Russians will find themselves welcomed with open arms too.