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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Business
Vijitra Duangdee

‘Russian-only’ businesses in Thailand’s Phuket spark backlash

Many Russians come to Phuket to escape economic turmoil and the possibility of being conscripted after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine [File: Jorge Silva/Reuters]

Bangkok, Thailand – A huge influx of Russians in Phuket is producing a backlash from locals, amid complaints of a booming Russian-only economy that covers everything from hair salons to taxi firms.

More than 400,000 Russians arrived on the Thai tourist island between January and July this year, according to authorities, double the number of visitors before Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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