SURAT THANI: A Russian student has been surviving on meals from monks -- and helping out where he can -- at a temple in this southern province since flights back to Russia were cancelled.

The tourist, identified only as Ivan, 25, has been staying at Wat Mai Pattararam in Surat Thani since March 26, Phra Khru Pisal Pattananukit said on Wednesday.

The acting abbot said the visitor arrived from Koh Samui. where he had been on holiday. Since he was running out of money, he asked if he could stay at the temple while waiting for a flight back to Russia.

The monk praised him for not sitting idly at the temple, saying he helped other monks to clean and worked in the kitchen preparing free meals for people in the neighbourhood. 

The government has allowed foreigners holding all types of non-immigrant visas to stay in the country until the end of July without having to apply for extensions.