Russian dad’s Phuket heartbreak: Wife bolts, leaves him penniless

A Russian man and his five year old son living in Phuket appealed for help after his Thai wife left him penniless and took his belongings.

A Thai man, Ekkawit Suratwadee, shared the story of 57 year old Russian man Oleg Magdeev and his five year old son on social media, hoping to seek assistance for the foreigner. Magdeev wanted to stay and work legally in Thailand to care for his son after his Thai wife left them.

Magdeev revealed to Ekkawit that he had come to Thailand to work as a shipmaster. He lost his job during the pandemic and decided to relocate to the central province of Chainart, the home province of his Thai wife.

Magdeev bought a car and a plot of land and also built a house in Chainart, all in his wife’s name. The car was later repossessed by a finance company because she failed to make the monthly loan payments. After divorcing her, Magdeev was left destitute as all valuables were in her name.

Magdeev returned to Phuket and rented a house in the Thalang district but has been unable to pay the rent over the past few months. He also rented a motorcycle to take his son to school but was unable to pay the rent on that as well.

Magdeev expressed that he wanted a job to earn a living and care for his young son. He could drive and repair boats up to 60 feet in length but his boat licence had expired. He is also capable of repairing

Thai landlady support

Ekkawit disclosed that his landlady, Kanda, allowed Magdeev and his son to stay in her property even though he couldn’t pay the rent.

Kanda stated that Magdeev wanted to raise catfish for sale and asked for her support. She wanted to help him but was concerned that his actions might violate the law. Nevertheless, she felt she had no choice but to assist the pair.

Kanda decided to invest in a catfish pond for the Russian man and bought the fish to sell at the nearby market, giving the proceeds to the foreigner. She wanted Magdeev to be able to work legally.

Many Thai netizens expressed their concerns for Magdeev and his son, with many offering help and expressing interest in making donations. Some condemned his Thai ex-wife for abandoning her young son.

Phuket Times later reported that Magdeev had visited the Russian Embassy to find a solution to his problem but no updates have been provided.

Magdeev and the rented house owner Kanda | Photo by เอกภพ ทองทับ via Khao Phuket