Russians have started renting themselves out as barbecue buddies.

For 3,000 rubles — about $39, you can hire someone to join your shashlik cookout, keep the conversation going, help grill the meat, make a toast, and even play guitar.

A miner from Russia’s Kuzbass coal region flew to Thailand for a five-day vacation — and now refuses to return to his family.

The 48-year-old was supposed to leave Pattaya after five days but skipped his flight home, insisting that Thailand is now his real home.

After sobering up somewhat, he barricaded himself in his hotel room because he was afraid of Thai police and demanded a direct business-class flight back to Russia. When he learned the ticket would cost about 173,000 rubles — roughly $2,270 — he swore and refused to go.

Efforts to bring him home are reportedly still underway. Police have already detained him over an unpaid restaurant bill. To make matters worse, he was also robbed by some devious women he met there.

Night Swim - Mia Bergeron , 2026.

American, b. 1979   -