BANGKOK — 15 June 2026, Russia warned its citizens Friday to avoid travelling to Thailand, citing the risk of arrest at Washington’s request — a move Thailand’s Foreign Ministry swiftly pushed back on, insisting the country is safe and welcoming for all visitors.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged nationals who have “even the slightest reason” to suspect they may face U.S. prosecution to stay away from Thailand entirely, including during layovers. It accused U.S. intelligence agencies of carrying out sting operations against Russian nationals while bypassing Thai authorities, and described Thailand as one of Washington’s primary locations for a “hunt” for Russian nationals, according to the Moscow Times.
The advisory followed the court appearance in the United States of suspected Russian hacker Denis Obrezko, who was arrested in Thailand last November. Russia’s ministry attributed the intensified targeting of its citizens to sweeping U.S. sanctions imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
Thailand and the United States share a bilateral extradition treaty.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry responded on Sunday through acting director-general of the Department of Information and deputy spokesperson Panidol Patchisawat, who said Thai-Russian relations remain strong at all levels and noted the two countries will mark 130 years of diplomatic ties in 2027.
Thailand welcomed nearly 1.9 million Russian tourists in 2025 — the largest number from any European country — and remains open to visitors of all nationalities, Panidol said.
“Thailand is a welcoming and safe country for all tourists regardless of nationality,” the spokesperson said, adding that all visitors are expected to abide by Thai law and that enforcement is carried out without discrimination.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia told state media that Russian tour operators have not encountered arrests while vacationing in Thailand, though it advised those aware of potential legal exposure to heed the ministry’s guidance.
