Call centre opens to help Russians, Ukrainians

A TOURIST CALL CENTRE LAUNCHED

to provide assistance to Russians and Ukrainians stuck in Phuket due to cancelled

flights or unable to pay for hotel or other accommodation due to sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine has already helped more than a dozen people, Phuket officials have announced.

The centre helped 15 people on its first day of operations on Mar 9, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office Director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri said last week.

In announcing the opening of the call centre, Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong said that the number of Russians and Ukrainians stuck in Phuket due to the invasion totalled about 5,000 people.

The call centre has Russian speakers available to provide assistance, Ms Nanthasiri said.

“Most tourists have asked for help with airlines, flights, visas, credit cards and the cost of accommodation and return travel expenses to their home country,” she said.

Ms Nanthasiri noted that not only tourists in Phuket and neighboring provinces had contacted the call centre, but also tourists in Bangkok, “because the call center in Phuket was the first to launch to assist stranded tourists”, she said.

“We will compile a list of all travelers who request assistance and separate them into two groups: travelers wishing to return

to their home country; and those who want to stay but are unable to access funds to pay for services,” she said.

“The list will be presented to the Governor of the TAT to expedite further assistance

to the tourists,” Ms Nanthasiri added.

Somwong Pruksalamats, a Russianspeaking guide now working at the call centre, said he had fielded calls from both Russians and Ukrainians.

"For visa issues, we coordinate with Phuket Immigration to assist," he said.

Mr Somwong added that most tourists are very happy with the assistance provided.

“They felt that they were not abandoned," he said.

The call centre can be contacted at 093-9372086 or 094-8191124, or by email to hktasst@gmail.com

The centre is open from 8:30am to 7pm each day.

The centre is currently expected to remain The Phuket News open until at least Mar 22.

Photo: via Russian Consulate in Phuket The Russian Consulate in Phuket has called for all Russians who arrived on Ural Airlines flights, which are now cancelled, to contact the embassy for help.