Thai authorities have tightened entry rules amid tensions with Cambodia, resulting in Russians being turned away at the border.
Pavel Vikulov, a 20-year-old blogger from Saint Petersburg, spent two weeks in Cambodia before purchasing a bus ticket to Bangkok from Laos, which involved crossing a land border, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Telegram channel BAZA.
While he was quickly cleared on the Laotian side, Thai border officials subjected him and other non-Southeast Asian travellers to additional checks.
According to Vikulov, a border officer inspecting passports and return tickets spotted his Russian passport and immediately said, “Russian — no.” Through a translator, he was told that under new rules, Russians and Ukrainians can enter Thailand only by air. He added that many others were also denied entry, as confirmed by a Japanese tourist acquaintance. No official statement has been released.
Local media previously reported that at least 185 foreigners were refused entry as Thailand increased border controls for third-country nationals due to the escalating conflict with Cambodia.
Authorities cited concerns that visa-free travel could be exploited for security threats, including the recruitment of mercenaries or espionage targeting passengers from Eastern Europe and North Asia.
By Jeyhun Aghazada
