Thailand turns away Russians as entry rules tighten amid Cambodia tensions PHOTO

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