This whole business of american warships coming to Phuket is a disgrace. It is all about bargirls and prostitution, any one who says its not is just lying to themselves. And that the US military makes this possible is nothing but a big fat scandal.

Posted by christos on September 15, 2009 08:34

What's your point exactly Christos? Since time immemorial, Armies all over the world have used R & R to improve the morale of their troops. A way of saying 'thanks' for a job well done. Now, what kinda party would you throw for a large group of highly trained, skilled and fit young people, with an average age under 30? A trip to the library? McDonalds happy meals? A cultural visit to Tibet? Trekking in Sheffield? Or a trip to the beach, with a load of bars, clubs and girls.
Bit of a no-brainer if you ask me Christos.
Where would you take 'em for R & R ?

Posted by Mark on September 15, 2009 23:05

Tibet is of course a fantastic destination. But any other government agency indirectly promoting bargirls and prostitution would be slaughtered in the media. I guess what Im saying is that the miltitary is a stone age, macho organisation that needs to let their testosterone fueled soldiers buy hookers..The saying "Pumping" money into the local economy has never been put to better use.

Posted by christos on September 16, 2009 08:48

Get a life Christos. U.S. sailors are some of the nicest people who visit Phuket, and if you didn't notice last time a lot of them were women!

Posted by Philip on September 16, 2009 10:11

I don't really see how the US government is 'promoting bar girls and prostitution' merely by allowing a ship to dock in Phuket and letting the servicemen and women have some R & R.

Are travel agents who sell holidays to single men and women also guilty of the same?

Every single port in the world has prostitutes in it. Sailors at sea for extended periods get horny. That's been the nature of the navy since man took to the water in boats.

So where would you take 4000 young people then? Phuket is large enough to accommodate all their needs. Sure some are gonna end up with girls. Big deal !

Plenty others are going to do charitable work, or go on culture trails, or a whole plethora of other activities that don't include drinking or shagging.

The US govt cannot possibly be indirectly supporting prostitution in Phuket because prostitution is illegal in Thailand !

Posted by mark on September 16, 2009 13:16

Come on Christos - if 6000 people from your country or any country, and been isolated at sea for 3-4 months or longer visited any place on the planet what would they do? These men (and women) will certainly be the best behaved and spend the most per person and leave the island a better place.

The US Navy always contributes to the economy and society. Did you know they will build a house (yes a complete house) for a poor family in Phuket, paint 5 different local schools, do work at an Orphanage and leave behind thousands of dollars in good for the underprivleged?

Of course you do not, and even now that you do, would that change your mind? I think not and I think you have the stone age mentality!

Posted by Brad on September 17, 2009 06:47

My boyfriend will be one of the sailors you are arguing about. Yeah, I get nervous at these types of ports, but there are lots of other things they love about Thailand than the girls and bars. Have you seen their racks? so tiny. My man doesn't fit head to toe.

His King size bed in the hotel in Phuket will be his heaven on earth, even with no company to share it! Plus they will be doing a TON of shopping for souvenirs to bring home since they are afterall on their way to see their families for the first time in almost half a year! =0)

Posted by Ry on September 17, 2009 08:55

There is absolutely NO credibility left with any Thai official when he or she says that there are efforts to stop the scams and cheating.

Posted by Gonzague on September 17, 2009 11:12

I work in a hotel where two wives, one with a daughter, will be meeting with their husbands for the first time in six months who have been stationed on that ship.

There are a lot of women in the service now.
Also can someone tell me the difference between a bar girl and a prostitute?

Posted by vfaye on September 19, 2009 09:54

Thanks for this article - my daughter is a Chief on the USS Howard and, although we communicate pretty regularly, she can never tell me where she is or is going. "Loose lips sink ships" you know. So now I know she'll be in Phuket for a few days of R&R. Awesome! Her career in the USN takes her to some of the most exotic places in the world and I get to experience these places through her. Welcome to Phuket, Lizzie!! Love you.

Posted by Debbie on September 19, 2009 20:50

Of course sailors want sex and of course Thailand, famously provides it. It's the two-faced, shadow legality of it all that is wrong. Legalise prostitution NOW !

Posted by Horse Doctor on September 20, 2009 08:03

There are always reports about the number of prostitutes increasing when an american warship is coming...Probably to join the sailors on the culture trails? If you cant see the difference between a tour company selling a package to Thailand and a government agency like the navy off-loading their horny sailors in a beach resort infamous for prostitution, then i guess this debate is totally in vain. By the way, Patong is not a port, the port is on the OTHER side of the island. And yes, engaging in prostitution is a crime in Thailand, but only for the seller. Just like in the US if Im not wrong?

And since the navy is a government organisation, lets ponder this: The representatives from the IRS takes part in a conference of some sort in thailand. They all get free condoms from the IRS and get information about the dangers of drug use and ladyboys..That would of course not be any problem to many taking part in this debate? In that case, no problem for me. If you dont agree, then why? Because sailors are horny and have the right to be provided the opportunity to enjoy a few days of sleaze and booze because they have been at sea for so long?

Posted by christos on September 21, 2009 11:46

CRISTOS - now that they're gone and not a single incident, what do you think? Almost 5,000 US Sailors ashore per day for 5 days and no major incidents, what more could a tourist location want!

They spent around 35 million Baht per day not including the refurbishment of supplies. We welcome you, US NAVY to Phuket!

By the way for those that do care, what they did while in Phuket; they did 9 Community Service projects including building a complete house for a desperate family, painting 4 local schools, and built an organic garden, painting dorm rooms, restoring a river bank for an Orphange to mention a few! They interfaced with hundreds of local children making their lives a little brighter!

Thank you Navy you're welcome at any time to Phuket by 99.999999% of the true contributors to Phuket!

Posted by bek on September 29, 2009 00:00