Ukrainians living in Thailand today expressed anger and disappointment to news that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be coming to Bangkok next month for the APEC summit, with some vowing to protest his arrival.
Responding to media reports that Putin had accepted an invitation to attend, Ukrainians told Coconuts that they felt ashamed and frustrated that Thailand would host someone they described as a terrorist. Several of those who spoke only provided their first names.
“It’s disgusting and very disrespectful,” Maksym Zavodnuik, 30, told Coconuts. “While most of the countries are trying to isolate Russia and Putin from the world and sanction him, Thailand literally does the opposite and welcomes him.”
“I feel unsafe and disappointed Thailand would host a terrorist in this country while the rest of the civilized world is cutting all diplomatic relationships with the dictator,” Katya Palokha said.
Several said that they would protest Putin’s visit.
“Ukrainians should go to a rally against his arrival. The world needs to know and understand that this is a killer,” Izabella Addo said.
Olha believes that any rally should not disturb the peace.
“It goes without saying that Ukrainians would never resort to violence, as we value human lives and respect the law,” Olha said. “However, we would like our voices to be heard.”
But more expressed their anger.
“I feel really bad if Putin is here, he is destroying my country and killing my nation. He is a terrorist and should be treated as a terrorist,” Dariia said.
Christina noted that many countries have already severed ties to Russia, something Thailand has yet to do.
“He is not welcome in the USA, UK, Canada, all of Europe and many other countries, but he is welcome in Thailand which I love with all my heart. It’s really heartbreaking,” she said.
Though Bangkok sided with Washington a dozen years ago in a high-profile tug-of-war over Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, it has deepened economic and military ties with the Russian Federation in recent years.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has met with Putin, ignored dozens of diplomatic requests to condemn Putin’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
Anastasia, 32, who has been living in Bangkok eight years, said it was difficult for her to see Thailand’s political leadership remain neutral about the Russia-Ukraine war.
“I feel frustrated. The terrorist, who is bombing neighbor country out of the greed, envy and fear should not be allowed to participate in summits,” she said. “It is also very sad for me, who loves Thailand, to see how the Thai government is avoiding making comments on situations, and trying to please their Russian partners.”
Tetiana Shkolna said Thailand’s political calculus was naive.
“It hurts me that Thai politicians do not even try to understand that Putin started a war that can develop into the third world War,” she said.
Alina Mistry said she disbelieved the news, coming one day after at least 70 Russian missiles were fired into Ukraine, striking civilian areas and killing at least a dozen people. She is reconsidering life in Thailand.
“Unfortunately Russian propaganda works very good here and Russian tourists are very important for Thailand. I’m very disappointed with this and going to move to another country as I can’t change it here.”
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has been meeting throughout the year in Thailand, with finance ministers set to gather next week. The main event will take place Nov. 18 and 19 at the newly renovated Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, for which Prayuth has military security.
Also tipped to be in attendance is Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, whose visit will formally end decades of bad blood with Thailand, and who last week snubbed the West by siding with Russia to reduce oil output.
None of the Ukrainians who spoke about Putin’s visit blamed the public, however.
“We know how supportive and sympathetic [to] Ukraine the average Thai citizens are,” Olha said. “And that the official position does not reflect what the Thais think of this brutal war.”
Rom, 35, who said his uncle was killed in the conflict, “How would you feel if you were watching a family murderer be welcomed into the place where you live?”
Maksym Kotenko, 29, compared Putin to a murderer who has attacked one’s relatives and the comes to celebrate their deaths and tells plans to kill those whom he has not yet been able to reach.
He hopes to find out from the Ukrainian Embassy where a possible rally will be held. He vowed to leave Thailand if its government refuses to acknowledge that Russia is a terrorist state and Putin a war criminal.
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