Rich Russians isolated from the West are flocking to Thailand’s Phuket

Rich Russians isolated from the West are flocking to Thailand’s Phuket
(Image: Bloomberg)
Bloomberg
Russian businessman Alexander Nakhapetov has been a regular at the “banyas” in his adopted home of Phuket ever since several of the traditional steam baths opened last year.Lately, though, the 41-year-old’s routine has been disrupted by an influx of his countrymen to Thailand’s biggest island – which has resulted in those new bathhouses being booked out much of the time.Patong Beach in Phuket in July. (Image: Andre Malerba/Bloomberg)While Phuket has long attracted Russia's wealthier citizens, the influx is acce...

More Bloomberg

China floods the world with AI models after DeepSeek’s success
Technology

China floods the world with AI models after DeepSeek’s success

Long-dormant Chinese tech sector now fired up, and Western rivals may pay the price.

Bloomberg 29 Mar 2025
Thailand plans to cut tourists’ visa-free stays to 30 days
Travel

Thailand plans to cut tourists’ visa-free stays to 30 days

Govt cracking down on travellers exploiting the waiver to engage in illegal businesses.

Bloomberg 23 Mar 2025
Fears for 1,000 wind projects as German election nears
Energy

Fears for 1,000 wind projects as German election nears

Expansion of energy source is at risk of a drastic slowdown, industry group says.

Bloomberg 01 Feb 2025
UK burying Thatcher’s privatisation legacy
Policy Opinion

UK burying Thatcher’s privatisation legacy

Experience with privatised public services has soured.

Bloomberg 04 Jan 2025