A criminal gang based in Russia has established influence in Phuket, Thailand through money laundering activities like encroaching on forests and investing in luxury real estate and hotels, with the help of corrupt local officials and police. The opposition Rak Thailand Party leader said the Russian gang operates large casinos in Patong like "Tiger" and "Thung Thong", which launder over 100 million baht daily and pay off local immigration police. He called for investigations into the Russian gang's activities by the House committee on police affairs, national police, provincial police chief, and governor.