A Russian invasion of Phuket

A lot to offer: Tourists relax along Patong Beach on the southern Thai island of Phuket. It has increasingly become a haven for Russian draft dodgers. — AFP

FOR many years, Chinese tourism fuelled the economy of this island paradise, known for its tropical weather, stunning sunsets and foreign-friendly accommodations.

But with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Thailand’s Phuket Island is transforming into a different kind of getaway: a refuge for Russians fleeing military conscription, political oppression and the economic impact of Western sanctions.