USS Ronald Reagan strike group anchors off Phuket

The nuclear-powered 'supercarrier' USS Ronald Reagan anchored in Phuket.

Photo: Nicholas Altstadt

PHUKET: The nuclear-powered US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan dropped anchor in Ao Makham today ahead of about 7,000 US Navy servicemen who will be taking shore leave in Phuket

Accompanying the 332-meter supercarrier are the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the destroyer USS Preble, altogether designated as the 'USS Ronald Reagan strike group'.

The convoy recently completed its part in providing disaster relief assistance to Japan as part of Operation Tomodachi, a mission that received a message of thanks from Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.

Not all will enjoy R&R (rest and recreation) leave on Phuket, however, with many staying on board their ships to ensure operations run smoothly, the Phuket Gazette was told this morning.

Also, as usual, volunteers among the crews will be out and about on the island helping with community projects as part of the US Navy’s “Comrel” (community relations) campaign.

The Ronald Reagan, the Chancellorsville and the Preble are all scheduled to depart Phuket on Thursday.

The USS Gridley, which arrived at Phuket Deep Sea Port on Friday, is scheduled to depart tomorrow.

Thus far in the Navy's visit, the Phuket Gazette has neither seen nor heard of any problems with local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

In June last year, US Navy servicemen faced an ugly blockade by local drivers protesting the sailors' use of other means of transportation in leaving the port. That event made headlines worldwide, as did last month's blockade of a luxury cruise ship here.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-05-01

Thus far in the Navy's visit, the Phuket Gazette has neither seen nor heard of any problems with local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

Must have been the threat that attack jets would hit the Tuk Tuk blockade .... I wish

Thus far in the Navy's visit, the Phuket Gazette has neither seen nor heard of any problems with local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

Must have been the threat that attack jets would hit the Tuk Tuk blockade .... I wish

Don't tease me.

Thus far in the Navy's visit, the Phuket Gazette has neither seen nor heard of any problems with local tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

Must have been the threat that attack jets would hit the Tuk Tuk blockade .... I wish

Don't tease me.

not all true, they are being charged $3 for a bottle of water and up2 2,000 THB for a taxi ride !, i think the Phuket Gazzette have been informed to do a ' nice ' report for there visit, and not a ' true ' report which will stir up alot of talk again

price for one Carona was 200 tbh, taxi to patong 1800tbh for 2 hours ago

talked to a couple of sailor, apparently knew all about the problem of taxis they had a big meeting about it heheh..

I'm sure the voracious lasses of Patong will be happy to swim out to the ships if the taxi fare is too much for the Matlows.