Bali: Paradise through a Jail Cell

The Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on and the fallout is everywhere.

Many countries have closed their Russian consulates. Others have imposed a tourist ban which includes Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland.

The rest of Europe is in a heated debate over banning Russian tourists.

Joining the list is Bali, Indonesia.

Bali is a favorite hotspot for the Russian elite.

In the Canggu-Frestive area in Bali, there is a growing community of 20,000 Russians. But, the reason for the tourist ban is not due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has made a big announcement.

The first proposed legislative change is to withdraw the visa-on-arrival for Russian and Ukrainian citizens.

The reason for the ban is due to illegal, disrespectful, and dangerous behavior.

However, the reasons for putting Ukrainians into the same bucket as the Russians are not so clear.

“Because the two countries are at war, they are not comfortable in their country.” – Bali Governor

Governor Koster noted that there is a correlation between foreigners from these two nations and the rise of cases of tourists driving mopeds without helmets, clothes, or licenses, driving recklessly, making fake identity documents, or residency permits, and conducting activities not allowed on tourism visas.

The final legislative change Governor Koster announced was a reiteration of the provincial government’s commitment to crack down on foreigners working illegally or operating businesses illegally in Bali.

Although Russians have long since dominated the most deported and arrest news in Bali the Ukrainians are allegedly buying fake documents to remain there.

To date, no Ukrainian has been arrested for this crime or any other significant crime like narcotics and theft.

Although Russians have been banned from traveling to certain countries those restrictions have not been imposed on Ukrainians.

I also want to point out that not all Russians are bad and it only takes a few bad apples to make the bunch seem rotten.

Many Russians oppose Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the image of Russians visiting or living in Bali is not good.

Many get stuck on the island because of financial problems and others don’t want to face Putin’s Russia.

Bali is a tourist island.

It is part of the Indonesian 17,000-island archipelago. People from all over the world come to visit and some live there.

It is famous for its low-key charm, cheap prices, friendly locals, Digital Dharma Bums, Yoga heads, and all walks of dreamers.

The promise of an exotic experience is a magnet for the good, bad, and ugly.

In 2020, Russian tourists dominated Bali’s deportation list.

The crimes were theft, breaking VISA rules, running out on their bills, drug and weapons trafficking, animal smuggling, and ATM scams. (Bali newspaper).

It got to be so bad that hoteliers wouldn’t book them for fear they wouldn’t pay their bills.

One Russian tried to smuggle a live Orangutan out of Bali in his suitcase.

Russians have over recent years been migrating to Bali.

Building a "Little Moscow," they have completed a Russian-speaking mall, websites, and a closed-end community.

In 2022, over 1,000 Russians were stuck in Bali. The ATM no longer offered service to Russians in Indonesia.

Video credit. South China Morning Post

Have you wondered how a 27-year-old Russian man can afford to wax a surfboard or a 22-year-old female getting a tan in Bali?

Are these innocent tourists?

Are some of these people the relatives of oligarchs and mafia?

48 percent of urban Russians said they will never live to see a decent salary.

This was before sanctions. Half of Russians say they’ll never live to see a decent salary.

As of January 1, 2022, the monthly minimum wage in Russia amounted to 13,890 Russian rubles or about 177 U.S. dollars.

In the capital Moscow, it was set at 21,371 Russian rubles or over 272 U.S. dollars. (Feb 15, 2022, Statistica)

Remember that while Russia is a resource-rich country, it suffers from intense social inequality. The top 1% of the Russian population control 71% of the nation’s wealth (like Indonesia).

Are the Russians stuck in Bali the average working class?

McDonald's is open in Bali.

But Cryptocurrency and the Russian state-sponsored “virtual card” won’t buy a French Fry.

The world is divided all the deeper now. Like a Black Hole sucking in a galaxy, Putin has turned the world upside down for a delusional land grab.

Some Russians in Bali are trying to help each other. Others keep their distance. They’re frightened. Not sure of their future or how foreigners perceive them.

I don’t know how long they can remain in Bali without money.

Under pressure, they turn to crime.

However, imposing the same VISA ban on Ukrainians is unnecessary.

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