Thailand's Phuket Island has become a refuge for Russians fleeing military conscription, political oppression and Western sanctions.

Nina Ng, 37, vanished Thursday in Thailand while jet skiing near Phuket, a report says. (Credit: Asia Pacific Press)

A 37-year-old American tourist reportedly vanished Thursday in Thailand while jet skiing along Patong Beach near Phuket, prompting a search, a report says.

With season three of The White Lotus drawing new visitors to the already bustling shores of Phuket and Koh Samui, a very different story is unfolding across the Gulf of Thailand.

For many years, Chinese tourism fueled the economy of this island paradise, known for its tropical weather, stunning sunsets and foreign-friendly accommodations.

A British tourist lost his cool while going through airport security before throwing a tantrum which allegedly caused cocaine to fall from his pocket. Marc Patrick Wharton, 42, had flown from Shanghai in China to the island of Phuket in Thailand when suspicious officers pulled him aside.

Koh Samui and Phuket are seeing record travel demand as The White Lotus season 3 fuels Thailand’s tourism boom. Bookings are soaring!

I asked a boat driver working in the area, and he said he saw the tourist take off her life jacket to jump into the water,” the jet ski rental operator said.

A British woman was caught straddling another tourist in the back of a tuk-tuk by a shocked driver. Khun Atiwat was taking the holidaymakers back to their hotel in Phuket, Thailand, when the couple started to become amorous.

A New York nurse has mysteriously vanished after going on a jet ski in Thailand. Nina Ng, 37, rented a jet ski in the island of Phuket on Thursday afternoon and disappeared shortly after, ViralPress reported.

A tourist has gone missing while on a jet ski ride in Thailand, officials said — with a witness seeing her jump in the water after taking off her life jacket.