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Russia warns citizens to avoid Thailand over US arrest threat
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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.
Key facts
- 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
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged nationals who have “even the slightest reason”
- 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.
- The advisory followed the court appearance in the United States of suspected Russian hacker Denis Obrezko, who was arrested in Thailand last November
Summary
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.