EITHER THE TAILORS in Patong can identify Russian visitors by their laissez faire dress sense and throwback hairstyles or they have decided it better to hedge their bets at a 'Privet? as opposed to a ?Hello? by way of introduction.

Russian hotels, restaurants, bars and even strip clubs have all sprung up on the island in the last few years.

Russians can?t seem to get enough of Phuket and the feeling, at least now, seems to be mutual.

Bangornrat Chinaprayoon, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand said, ?There were 150,000 Russian visitors to Phuket this year, an increase of more than 30%.?

This Khun Bangornrat attributes to recently launched direct flights from Moscow (5 nights a week with Aeroflot), and a Russian push to promote Phuket.

Andrey V. Dvornikov, from the Russian Embassy in Thailand said that now Phuket was second only to Pattaya in terms of Russian pupularity, which is apparently India?s loss.

?After immigration control became tighter in Goa we witnessed more Russian backpackers coming to Phang Ngn and Phuket,? he said.

Not only does TAT have an office in Moscow, but TAT now also prints a lot of the marketing paraphernalia and tourist information in Russian.

Mr Dvornikov said that after visiting, many tourists eventually decide to settle in Thailand, ?A lot of Russian expats are engaged in tourism and real estate business. Some own different entertainment facilities and restaurants (in Pattaya there are about 50 Russian bars, canteens and restaurants); on Phuket I pesonally know of only two.?

The love ? love relationship shows no sign of slowing either, K Bangornrat added, ?The Russians tend to be high-end visitors, which of course is great. They travel to islands and go out on boats. In the future, we will focus on Russian wedding groups and honeymooning couples.?

Raisa Sheludkina, Chief Editor of RL Magazine said that even in the two short years that Russian language magazine RL had been operating, she had seen a huge growth in vistors from Russia.

"In spite of the world?s economic downfall, the Russian tourists choose Phuket as their dream destination over the traditionally more popular places of Turkey and Egypt. Phuket is a great place that combines the natural beauty of stunning beaches with perfect tourist facilities."

Responding to this increasing need are Russian tour operators like Pegas Touristick, Espen Westlie, GM of Pegas Touristik said, "Actually Phuket has been always popular for Russian tourists. But earlier it was rather more difficult to get to Phuket and not so easy to have tours in the Russian language."

As Mr Dvornikov said, after visiting, many Russian tourists decided to stay permanently, or perhaps buy a second home.

Maria Batura, GM of Rus Home Real Estate has never been so busy, "Thailand as a great destination and some of them are making Phuket their second home."