Photo courtesy of Phuket Express

 

A group of Phang Nga residents protested on October 8, 2025, against a proposed US military base in their province. Led by Mr. Dusit Buathong from the Phang Nga Civil Society for Happiness Association and Mr. Siriphong Konsap, they marched at the Phang Nga Provincial Hall, voicing their opposition to the US using the Phang Nga Naval Base area for military purposes. Their petition was received by Deputy Governor Mr. Buncha Thanuin.

 

The protest emerged after reports suggested that the US was interested in establishing a military base in Thap Lamu, Phang Nga Province. This development raised concerns among locals about potential impacts on their environment, livelihoods, and national security. Mr. Buathong highlighted risks to tourism and fears of becoming a target in international conflicts.

 

Residents worry about adverse effects on Phang Nga's thriving tourism sector and the limited economic benefits observed in other regions hosting foreign military bases. The uncertainty remains as the Thai government has not provided an official stance on the matter. The local group is calling for respect for their desire for peace and stability in any future military proposals.

 

Phang Nga's residents aim to ensure that their voices are heard, emphasizing the preservation of their way of life and national interests. They have requested that any military plans by foreign powers be reconsidered, considering potential disruptions to their community if a base were established.

 

Key Takeaways

• Phang Nga residents oppose US plans for a military base due to potential local impacts.
• Concerns focus on tourism disruption and security risks.
• The Thai government has not yet issued a statement on the proposal.

 

Related Stories:

Former Red Shirt Leaders Jailed Over 2010 Bangkok Protests

Teachers and Students Protest Against School Principal

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Phuket Express 2025-10-09

 

 

Yes keep US military bases out.

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This development raised concerns among locals about potential impacts on their environment, livelihoods, and national security.

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

 

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

 

Absolutely correct, the main people this would upset are the Chinese or to be correct the CCP therefore I don't see any real problems

Not sure where to start :  environment, livelihoods, and national security.

 

environment - have they ever worried about their envirolnment No !

ivelihoods  more jobs/money will flow ito the area

national security Would enhance it

 

Now, who is behind this e.g. who is paying them to play the idiots* ??

 

* All 8 of them  🤣

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

Not everyone wants to be over-run by brash Americans with more money than sense pushing up the local costs.

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

Along with a flood of wannabe prostitutes from other provinces. Another Pattaya is not needed or desired.

Donald might want to make Thailand the 51st state. 

7 minutes ago, golli said:

Donald might want to make Thailand the 51st state. 

The way that Trump and Hegseth want to decimate the US military there probably won't be enough people left to station the base anyway.

 

Good old America,actually not do old, fight anywhere but on their turf under the pretext of supporting others.

17 hours ago, ukrules said:

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

i agree ,and the birth rate goes up

38 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

This is why most of the world hates the USA.

It is one of the reasons.

It is a long list. 
Personally I can not stand them.

With China backing Cambodia, there may not be a choice..

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

It is one of the reasons.

It is a long list. 
Personally I can not stand them.

I am a proud "true blue" Aussie, and my late Dad, who fought in and around the islands north of Oz during WW2, often reminded my brothers and I, that the "yanks" saved Australia (with a lot of blood, sweat and tears from the brave and relentless Diggers of course)..

And without the yanks we'd probably be speaking Japanese today 

 

And yes, they do have bases in Oz,but the Chinese also have a significant presence as well!!

Once they realise the money they can generate they will change their minds

20 hours ago, ukrules said:

Are they idiots or something?

Wherever there's a military base there's a massive influx of cashed up well paid Americans spending in the local economy.

And making a lot of problems too.

Keep your soldiers in your own country.

It has it’s pro’s and con’s.
Not only good for the local economy with potentially plenty of new business start ups, but they could also get the US to pay for upgrades to local infrastructure like roads, etc.

 

As stated by others, prices locally are likely to rise and anti social behaviour inevitably will increase through drinking. What’s surprising though  is that the protestors didn’t campaign against potential health issues related to having US bases like in Subic Bay. Pollution there caused a spike in heart, respiratory and cancer cases and there were also many birth defects. That surely is more to worry about than  the issues they highlighted.

50 minutes ago, orchidfan said:

And yes, they do have bases in Oz,but the Chinese also have a significant presence as well!!

The Chinese have no military presence in Australia.

5 hours ago, golli said:

Donald might want to make Thailand the 51st state. 

No 52nd state.

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

And making a lot of problems too.

Keep your soldiers in your own country.

Like DC, LA and Chicago.

 

What worries me is the police presence taking photos of the demonstrators, suppressing freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Thai Constitution.

I remember years ago there was a Navy base in my local town, young men hated it, with lots of fights etc. However, when it closed it decimated the town: everyone lost money and many jobs lost. From taxi, takaways, and ofcourse pubs and clubs (night life was decimated) even an old tailors shop closed its doors. So a military base will see a massive influx of money and prosperity into the community and Thailand as a whole...

Donald should consider reaching out to the Swiss government with a proposal to establish the world’s first naval base in Switzerland. Such an endeavor would indeed be a remarkable achievement for him. He might even pursue the idea, given his possible confusion between Switzerland, Swaziland and Sweden.

 

 

7 hours ago, golli said:

Donald might want to make Thailand the 51st state. 

I thought Canada was in line for that 1 🤔😂

9 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Along with a flood of wannabe prostitutes from other provinces. Another Pattaya is not needed or desired.

Opinions are like butt holes... Everyone has one and they ALL stink!

9 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

The last thing Thailand needs is to become a target from either China or North Korea

and you think they arent a target w/o a base? Wake up!

It makes more sense to try and get a US naval base in Indonesia and specifically near the existing Indonesian Navy  facility at Belawan in Northern Sumatra or at the facility at Teluk Ratai in South Sumatra. But Trump may not be able to strong arm Indonesia like he might be able to do with Thailand.

 

Posts with derogatory nicknames, intentional misspellings, or personal remarks will be removed. Spell names correctly for all sides of the debate.

The US is already spread over the world like some evil pox. They still haven't gone home from WWII, the Russians went home years ago.

21 hours ago, orchidfan said:

I am a proud "true blue" Aussie, and my late Dad, who fought in and around the islands north of Oz during WW2, often reminded my brothers and I, that the "yanks" saved Australia (with a lot of blood, sweat and tears from the brave and relentless Diggers of course)..

And without the yanks we'd probably be speaking Japanese today 

 

And yes, they do have bases in Oz,but the Chinese also have a significant presence as well!!

The Chinese only have a commercial presence in OZ, trying to make it look military presence is just being stupid and childishly mischievous.

Today a US airbase, tomorrow a big brothel! US Army out of Thailand