International reporting
Thailand: the cohabitation between Russian tourists stuck in Phuket and Ukrainian refugees
Audio 02:30
Patong beach in Phuket in March 2022, where Russian tourists have been stranded since the West imposed financial sanctions on Russia in retaliation for the war in Ukraine.
© AP/Saline Prab
By: Carol Isoux
3 mins
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Russians are also suffering the economic consequences of the conflict and Western sanctions.
Some, who were on vacation when Ukraine was invaded, found themselves stranded abroad, without a credit card or a flight home.
This is the case in Phuket, Thailand, where penniless Russian tourists now coexist with Ukrainian refugee families.
Advertisement
From our correspondent in the region,
At the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in the north of the island of Phuket, about thirty faithful came to sing and pray on this Sunday morning.
Some are long-time residents of the island, which hosts a community of at least 5,000 Russian citizens.
Others, like Nikita, had just arrived for a vacation and were surprised by the conflict.
"
As soon as the events in Ukraine began, my return ticket to Irkousk was canceled, but the airline did not reimburse me immediately
," says Nikita.
“
So I found myself stuck here, with no credit card, no money in my account to buy a new ticket, and even no food.
At first, I thought that the embassy would help me, offer me accommodation, but they advised me to turn to the church instead
,” she continues.
► To read also: Russians gather at the border between Mexico and the United States
One big community
Nikita is therefore housed in buildings adjoining the church, he cohabits with several Ukrainian families, whose homes have disappeared in the bombings.
The atmosphere is peaceful, meals are taken together.
Nothing out of the ordinary, according to Father Oleg Cherepanin, head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand.
Abroad, for historical, linguistic and business relations reasons, Russians and Ukrainians form a single large community.
In Phuket, the community still struggles to realize the violence of the conflict.
"
The first reaction is that it is difficult to understand what is happening, how it is possible
", explains Father Oleg Cherepanin.
“
You know, even among those who live in Russia with a Russian passport, many have roots in Ukraine.
I know that many of our Russian parishioners have family members in Ukraine.
Myself, I have Ukrainian origins, like many Russian priests, because under the Soviet Union the pressure against religions was very strong in the central regions.
So most of the priests came from outlying areas and especially from Ukraine…
”, he underlines.
► To read also: In Serbia, Russians opposed to Moscow's policy arrive by the thousands
"With demonstrations, we do not buy food"
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand adds: “
So far, I have not heard of any tensions within the community, we are a very small community, we have known each other for a long time.
The situation is so painful that it is useless to discuss it, it is rather necessary to help.
With protests, you don't buy food
,” he says.
Donations are sent weekly to Ukraine from Russian parishioners.
However, during mass, at an anonymous request to pray for the health of Vladimir Putin, Russians and Ukrainians comply before starting to pray together for an end to the war.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Thailand
Russia
Ukraine