The meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall focused on expanding collaboration between Thailand and Russia in key areas including security, tourism, the economy and education.
Ambassador Tomikhin noted that Phuket has become “a second home for many Russians”, with the number of Russian nationals residing on the island steadily rising this year. He said Russians now spend an estimated B100 billion annually in Phuket, underscoring the close economic ties between the two countries.
On safety, the Ambassador said the Russian Embassy will work to improve public communication and raise awareness among Russian visitors and residents about accident prevention. He also said Russian business operators in Phuket are ready to support projects aimed at improving road safety across the island.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Tomikhin said Russia is committed to enhancing regional-level cooperation with Phuket, given the island’s strong reputation among Russian travellers. He noted that multiple airlines already operate direct flights from Russian cities to Phuket, which he said would help stimulate wider economic opportunities.
Education was highlighted as a key area for further cooperation, with the Ambassador expressing interest in deepening collaboration between Russian universities and Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus in fields such as language, medicine, business and other programmes.
Governor Nirat welcomed Russia’s continued engagement and emphasised the long-standing positive relations between the two countries. He also invited the Ambassador to try Phuket’s “Thai seafood sauce”, joking that he hoped the Ambassador would help promote the local flavour on his next trip to Russia.