Few Calls Reported To Russian, Ukrainian Tourist Help Centre

According to a Tourism Authority of Thailand officer based in Phuket, the majority of Russian and Ukrainian visitors in Phuket seem to be “coping.” As per Nanthasiri Ronasiri, there’re receiving few calls to a hotline set up to assist Russian and Ukrainian travelers stranded due to delayed flights or financial difficulties as a result of sanctions imposed by the West on Russia.

The invasion of Ukraine has been condemned globally and penalties on Russian airlines, suspension of payment systems such as Visa and Mastercard. However, Nanthasiri told reports that just around 15 Russian visitors had called TAT’s hotline since it opened last Wednesday.

Most of the calls need information on airlines, visas, and credit cards, and most of them had no difficulties.

The help centre, which has been established to assist Russian and Ukrainian travelers, can be reached at 093 937 2086 or 094 819 1124. The lines are staffed by Russian speakers and are open from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nanthasiri added that a number of Russian visitors have contacted their embassy and are waiting for return flights. They have said that they have no payment issues and have sufficient finances to cover their stay. No information was available on Ukrainian visitors.

Local tourism operators reported that there are no Russian visitors on Phuket’s beaches.  Before the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Russians made up between 70% and 80% of visitors to the island’s beaches. Since the outbreak of the war, that figure has fallen to roughly 5% and operators report that current beachgoers are mostly Danish, German, Swedish, or Italian.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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