The Russian Foreign Ministry recommended refraining from trips to Thailand due to the risk of detentions of Russian tourists.

      The Russian Foreign Ministry has once again warned citizens about the threat of detention in Thailand at the request of American law enforcement agencies and intelligence services. The agency recommended refraining from traveling to the country, both for tourism and business purposes. The ministry pointed out that Thailand is linked to the United States by a bilateral extradition treaty. The first high-profile case mentioned by the agency was the arrest in 2008 of entrepreneur Viktor Bout, who spent more than 10 years in an American prison. According to the Foreign Ministry, the activity of American intelligence services in Thailand has increased since 2022 against the backdrop of expanded extraterritorial sanctions. Russians associated with sectors targeted by these restrictions may fall under their action, according to the agency's assessment. Citizens who consider the possibility of criminal prosecution by the U.S. were also advised to avoid layovers in Thai airports. The ministry urged individuals to have contact information for Russian diplomatic missions on hand. It is worth noting that Bout was accused of illegal arms trafficking and supporting terrorism. According to the American side, the entrepreneur planned to supply weapons to the Colombian organization FARC, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group. In 2010, he was extradited to America, and in 2012, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Bout did not admit his guilt. In December 2022, he was exchanged for basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport for possession of narcotic substances.