Russian tourists have been flocking to Thailand after direct flights from Russia resumed.

Russian tourists are returning to Thailand in large numbers despite Western sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine.

The biggest group of tourists in the first 10 days of November was made up of Russians.

The president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents told a Thai newspaper that tour operators were not prepared for the influx of arrivals.

A charter flight from Moscow to Thailand was the first direct flight since the war began. The Thaiger reported that it arrived in Phuket on October 30 and was given a reception by the airport staff.

Direct flights to Thailand, India, and theMaldives were resumed by Aeroflot on the same day.

Tourism is a large part of the economy of Phuket. The travel industry accounted for 80% of the island's economy before the Pandemic.

The number of tourists from Russia dropped after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russian tourists came to the island in January. Between May and September, these numbers dropped to between 3,200 and 4,200 a month.

As a result of the sanctions, international flights out of Russia were mostly stopped.

According to The Thaiger, Russian airlines are increasing their routes to Thailand.

Siberia Airlines will carry passengers from Irkutsk, a mid-sized city in Siberia, in order to open up services to Phuket.

Thailand has a neutral stance on the war in Russia. It's easy for Russians to get visas because it hasn't participated in any sanctions.

Russian tourists are expected to peak in the coming winter as they travel to tropical beaches.

Thailand's tourism authority did not respond to questions from Insider.