Russian companies in Phuket that accept only Russian-speaking customers are causing public opinion in Thailand to be defeated.

BANGKOK, Thailand - A large influx of Russians to Phuket is angering locals because of a booming economy that covers everything from barbershops to cabs.

According to authorities, more than 400,000 Russians arrived on the Thai tourist island between January and July this year, double the number of visitors before Russia's war against Ukraine. Many have obtained long-term visas, are buying real estate and starting businesses to avoid economic turmoil and the possibility of being drafted into the Russian army following Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Phuket to open a new consulate to deal with the growing number of citizens seeking jobs and vacations on the island. The growing Russian presence is causing rapid change. Property prices are on the rise, which, while beneficial for Thai owners and realtors, makes it difficult to find affordable housing for renters on the island. Russian-only businesses have emerged, often run through Russian-language apps and operated by illegal workers. There are also reports of Russian prostitutes working in the Bangla Road nightlife area for a mainly Russian clientele.

"The ruble stays with the Russians," said the chairman of the Phuket Van Drivers Club, which represents 200 tourist minibuses. "We have been hurt by these Russians who have come to run the whole tourist business. They use personal vehicles that are not registered with the Thai transportation department as official vehicles, picking up tourists who book through a Russian app, offering almost 20 percent lower fares than us. "

"They make sure all the rubles stay with the Russians," Tongmusik added.

The posts on local Facebook pages reflect the growing anxiety of locals who fear their jobs are under threat and that Thais are becoming fictitious owners of tourism businesses on behalf of Russian investors. Some posts include photos of Russian cabs and people believed to be Russian employees. "They cook their own food, they eat their own food," said one Facebook user. "The Russians stole Thai jobs. If we don't counter this, things will get out of control.

In the face of growing discontent, Phuket police last month announced the detention of several illegal workers, some of whom were hunted down by angry locals. "We detained three Russian nationals who opened a barbershop after a Thai national complained about them," Col. Tonchai Matitham said. "We accused them of breaking the law, which is only enforced by Thais. "

There are also fears that competition and crime could arise along with the influx of Russian money. On June 8, Phuket immigration authorities arrested a Kazakh man on suspicion of murdering Russian businessman Dmitry Aleynikov, 44, during daylight hours as he sat in his car outside a busy cafe. A 31-year-old Russian man was arrested on the resort island of Ko Samui on Monday on suspicion of having links to fraudsters operating out of Cambodia. Several Russian criminals have been apprehended while hiding out in other resorts, including Pattaya, which in recent years has gained a reputation as a base for fugitive Russian mobsters.

The Phuket authorities emphasize that the vast majority of Thailand's Russian population abides by the law, but some Russians in Phuket have expressed concern about undue harassment of their nationality. "Even the criminals people see may not be Russian," said Russian expat Sergei Malinin, a tour operator who has lived in Thailand for 25 years. "For Thais, they are all Russians, although they may be Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Georgians." Malinin said some Russians work illegally because of Thailand's restrictive laws on foreign workers, but the overall picture is one of growing cultural and economic ties between the countries. "Some Russians become criminals because they don't have legal jobs in Thailand. They can't get more visas ... they have money but can't find work, the only way to stay is to break the law," he said.

The significant contribution of Russians to the local economy is especially important amid a prolonged post-pandemic recovery in tourism from China, which is struggling with a slowing economy.