Russian exodus puts Thailand’s tourism rebirth at risk as Asia longs for absent visitors

In the first six weeks of 2022, more than 40,000 Russians poured into Thailand – tourists craving a sun-kissed shore far away from the harsh winter of home.They were beckoned back to the beaches of Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya by a welcoming nation whose deflated economy was desperate for an economic lift, having felt the sting of billions of lost tourist dollars amid the pandemic.But then Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, and hopes of a quick tourist recovery for Thailand…