US Forces ‘love Phuket’

The nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan will arrive in Phuket tomorrow,

along with about 5,000 US servicemen on shore leave. Photo: US Navy

A plane loaded with disaster relief supplies prepares for take-off from the

USS Ronald Reagan, which was assigned to provide humanitarian assistance

in support of Operation Tomodachi in Japan. Photo: US Navy

PHUKET: -- The first of four US Navy warships arrived yesterday, signalling the imminent landing of more than 5,000 US servicemen and women on recreational leave in Phuket this weekend.

Douglas Robinson, Assistant Attache, Force Protection Detachment at the US Embassy in Thailand, met Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha at Provincial Hall yesterday to formally inform him of the convoy’s arrival.

The USS Gridley arrived at Phuket Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham with about 300 sailors on board. The ship will put to sea on Monday.

Three more ships will arrive on tomorrow: the USS Ronald Reagan, the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Preble,

All three will depart Phuket on Thursday.

“The main thing I want to tell you is that Phuket is our favorite place for R&R,” Mr Douglas told the governor.

“I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of business owners in Patong because that is where a lot of our people go to spend time. And I just relayed that there are two big reasons why our ships are able to come here and enjoy it so much,” Mr Douglas said.

“The first thing is the hospitality that they [uS servicemen] receive when they come to Phuket. Here, in Phuket, the hospitality is absolutely wonderful,” he beamed.

“The second reason is safety and security. We have a lot of people here who look after us. For both those things we are very, very grateful,” Mr Douglas added. In closing the meeting, Mr Doughlas gave Gov Tri a traditional command coin of Carrier Air Wing Fourteen, which is stationed on board the USS Ronald Reagan.

Not once during the 15-minute conversation did Mr Douglas or Gov Tri mention the blockade by local taxi and tuk-tuk drivers that prevented US Navy sailors from taking their own transport to Patong the last time they landed in Phuket, in June last year.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-04-30

Wasn't there an issue with the British marines who were there a couple months ago? Jet ski i think.

Wasn't there an issue with the British marines who were there a couple months ago? Jet ski i think.

Maybe one of the phuket head offered his own youngies to the marines to make peace..

this is phuket after all

The tuk-tuks are going to block the harbour again?

As usual they will lose 8-10 to the ladyboys.

I should say the two reasons American servicemen like Phuket are:

1. Lots of available sex.

2. Plenty of bars and entertainment.

Of course the Americans could not say that officially!

Phuket's US Navy Greeting: $3 for a Bottle of Water

Talk about out of control!

I guess the sailors will be really whooping it up now that news has come in that Osama Bin Laden has been killed.

All power to 'em.......

I guess the sailors will be really whooping it up now that news has come in that Osama Bin Laden has been killed.

All power to 'em.......

Probably a raised security level and a cut short vacation. Sorry boys.