King Rama V visited Russia
during his European tour. He is seen here with Tsar Nicholas II.
According to Thai Immigration authorities, there are
100,000 Russian residents in Thailand, 60,000 of which live in Pattaya. This
was a statistic shared with the Pattaya City Expats Club by Victor
Kriventsov, at the PCEC’s Sunday May 25, meeting. Victor, in addition to
being Director of Sales and Marketing at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and
Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) is also the Deputy Honorary
Consul of the Russian Federation (for the provinces of Chonburi and Rayong).
Victor gave a very enlightening and informative talk. He covered the history
of Russian and Thai relations, how Russian culture is the reason for the way
Russian tourists act when visiting Thailand, and the Russian community in
Pattaya.
PCEC Chair Pat Koester
presents a certificate of appreciation to Victor Kriventsov for his
interesting and informative talk to the PCEC.
Victor said that Russians have been coming to Thailand
for over two hundred years, along side Americans, Europeans and Australians.
The first Russian ship to dock in Thailand arrived in 1863. Russia was one
of the few world powers (along with Germany) that did not establish a formal
presence in Southeast Asia. He explained that King Rama V made an effort to
strike a balance among the super powers. Further, Rama V’s son graduated
from a prestigious military academy in Russia which may be the reason Thai
ceremonial military uniforms resemble the Russian ones of the Tsar’s Guards
regiments. Also, he mentioned that a Russian composer wrote the music for
the previous Thai national anthem (now the Royal anthem) and that King Rama
V visited St. Petersburg on his European tour. Additionally, the colours of
the Thai flag are the same as those of the Russian flag; some people believe
that the three colours symbolise the same things in both countries: red =
people; white = religion; and blue = monarchy.
PCEC Member David Garmaise
advises members about the upcoming Annual General Meeting in July and
procedures for submitting nominations for the Board of Governors.
Before 1917, Thai-Russian ties were quite close. There
was a Russian embassy in Thailand. The Russian fleet came here in 1898, and
a permanent Russian diplomatic mission was established here. That changed
with the 1917 revolution in Russia. Between 1918 and 1941, there was no
diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1941, the first moves
were made to re-establish relations, but because of Thailand’s relationship
during the period with Japan, it wasn’t till 1947 before the Soviet Embassy
opened in Bangkok.
Victor said that Russian tourists started to come to Thailand in large
numbers in the 1990s after the break-up of the Soviet Union. The first
charter plane from Russia arrived at U-Tapao Airport in 1992. At first,
there were a few thousand visitors a year from Russia. The numbers began to
increase when Russia and Thailand signed a bilateral agreement calling for
visa-free travel between the two countries for periods of up to 30 days.
There are currently an estimated 1.7 million visitors a year from Russia and
100,000 Russians residing in Thailand with 60,000 being in the Pattaya
community. He mentioned that to serve this community, there are now seven
Russian Orthodox churches in Pattaya; an 8th one is being constructed now.
There is also a cemetery and a monastery. There are now about 40 Russian
restaurants in Pattaya to serve the tourists and community.
Victor said that there are some cultural and linguistic challenges. First,
the teaching of foreign languages in Russia - as well as the need for their
use - was limited; Russians don’t see a real benefit in learning other
languages. Second, Russians have only been travelling abroad for the past 20
years; they are still not really comfortable, so they try to create a
Russian environment wherever they live. There is one Russian-language school
in Pattaya using the educational standards of the Russian state. It caters
primarily to Russian expats working here that intend to return to Russia;
thus seeking an education for their children that will allow them to
continue their studies in Russian Universities.
Victor Kriventsov, Deputy
Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation (for the provinces of Chonburi and
Rayong), tells members and guests of the PCEC about the history of Russian
relations with Thailand, Russian culture, and the Russian community in
Pattaya.
Victor said that there are stereotypes about the Russians
who come to Pattaya. The biggest one is that they are heavy drinkers. In
Victor’s opinion, it is more a question of behaviour. Overall, Russians
don’t consume that much alcohol. However, they are not accustomed to having
“just a drink” as Westerners might do. When they drink, they have a party.
Victor said that Russians understand not drinking, and they understand
drinking a lot; it’s the part in between that they are not familiar with.
Victor said that this behaviour is changing with the new generation, where a
wine culture is slowly growing.
Only 15% of the Russians in Pattaya are single; the rest are couples and
families. Russian visitors tend to favour the tourist attractions that
appeal to families. Sixty percent of the visitors to Underwater World are
Russians. He also explained why there are so many Russians buying condos in
Pattaya. The Russian economy is based on natural resources. Some Russians
have lots of money but not much opportunity to invest it in Russia, so they
choose to buy property in other countries.
The services provided by the Honorary Consulate for Russian citizens are
described on their website at:
www.royalcliff.com/lng-russian/consulate/consulate.htm. The Russian Embassy
also has information on Thai and Russia relations on their website at:
http://www.thailand.mid.ru/Win_work/korol_eng.htm.
After Victor answered numerous questions from the audience, Master of
Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought everyone up to date on upcoming events
and called on Jerry Dean to conduct the always informative Open Forum where
questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially
Pattaya.
For more information on the PCEC’s many activities, visit their website at
www.pcecclub.org.
All Saints is one of 7
Orthodox churches serving the Russian Community in Pattaya.
