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Overview
You've heard all about it,
isn't it now time to go and visit and see whether all the stories are
true? Stroll across Red Square and marvel at the Kremlin; wander
through St Petersburg and admire the treasures of the old Tsars in the world-famous Hermitage; or perhaps travel further afield to
Lake Baikal to stay a few days in a cottage and maybe encounter a wild
bear or two. Whatever you see in this diverse country, you will be amazed by the contrasts that this
enormous country offers. And when you fly back to Bangkok, don't forget
to buy a bottle of Russian Vodka at the airport duty free.
A bit of History
During the 19th century,
Russia made several territorial acquisitions in Europe and Asia.
The defeat in
the Russian-Japanese War of 1904 spurred a revolution in 1905,
which resulted in the creation of a parliament and other important
political reforms. The
Communists under Lenin seized political power after World War I and
formed the USSR. Furthermore, the brutal rule of Stalin strengthened
Communist rule and the Russian dominance within the large Soviet Union. The
country's economy and society stagnated for several decades until General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev
introduced the concepts of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring)
in an unprecedented attempt to modernize Communism. However, his initiatives inadvertently
created forces that splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other
independent states by 1991. Since then, Russia has long struggled in
its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to
replace the social, political, and economic controls of the Communist
period. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has become a more
self-assured country on the world stage.
How to Get There
Both
Aeroflot
and Thai Airways
offer nonstop flights between Bangkok and Moscow. If you don't mind a
stop in the Middle East, also
Qatar Airways,
Etihad Airways
and Emirates
offer connecting flights options to the Russian capital. Some Asian
carriers also fly to Moscow. If you want to go to Vladivostok, there are
good connections from Bangkok via
Seoul.
The Highlights
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Experience the
imperialist extravagance in St. Petersburg |
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Visit the cultural
highlights of the capital Moscow |
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Relax in a cottage
on the shores of Lake Baikal |
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Go hiking through
the wild forests of Siberia |
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Learn how to drink
Vodka the Russian way |
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Country Profile
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Country Name |
Russia |
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Capital City |
Moscow |
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Major Gateways |
Moscow (MOW)
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St. Petersburg (LED)
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Population |
142 million |
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Languages |
Russian |
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Main Religions |
Russian Orthodox |
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Currency
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Rubel (RUB) |
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Time Difference with Thailand |
Varies |
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Calling Code |
+7 |
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Best Time to Visit |
May - September |
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Visa Requirement for Thai Citizens |
Visa required |
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Travel Time from
Bangkok |
10h (nonstop) |
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More info |
www.russiatourism.ru
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Map |
Click here
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National Flag |
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