THREE US Navy vessels are due to anchor off Phuket over the next few weeks, indicating that Phuket has not been abandoned as a favored destination for shore leave by US military personnel.
A visit by a vessel carrying a large deployment of Marines would provide a real test of Phuket's commitment to ensure no further blockades of US personnel who wish to transfer from Phuket's east coast deep sea port at Cape Panwa to the west coast nightlife resort of Patong.
Three times during visits by US warships, local taxi and tuk-tuk drivers have barred the path of buses or vans in a demonstration of their desire to transport more US military personnel across Phuket at inflated fares.
Earlier this year, officials at Phuket's Provincial Hall administrative capital in Phuket City undertook to guarantee that blockades would be prevented in future.
The three vessels heading Phuket's way are single ships with the most interest focussing on the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu.
The Wikipedia entry for the USS Peleliu says: ''In August 2010, Peleliu was sent to Port of Karachi to enlist its 19 helicopters for the rescue effort during the 2010 Pakistan floods, the worst in Pakistan's history.
''During the deployment, Captain David Schnell, the ship's commanding officer, was relieved of command and reassigned for being 'unduly familiar' with several crew.
''Captain Mark E. Cedrun, chief of staff for Expeditionary Strike Group 3, replaced Schnell as commander of the ship.''
Phuket Navy League president Jimmy Madigan announced today that the cargo vessel USNS Richard E. Byrd will arrive on October 29.
Tentative dates have also been set for visits by the 39,96-ton USS Peleliu, which has Marines on board, from November 12-16, followed by the destroyer USS Shoup from November 17-20.
Larger contingents of personnel visited Phuket for MWR (morale, welfare, recreation) with the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz in January and the USS Ronald Reagan in September 2009.
Cruise ship companies have also complained about the excessively high cost of transport on Phuket.
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting HearsA visit by a vessel carrying a large deployment of Marines would provide a real test of Phuket's commitment to ensure no further blockades of US personnel who wish to transfer from Phuket's east coast deep sea port at Cape Panwa to the west coast nightlife resort of Patong.
Three times during visits by US warships, local taxi and tuk-tuk drivers have barred the path of buses or vans in a demonstration of their desire to transport more US military personnel across Phuket at inflated fares.
Earlier this year, officials at Phuket's Provincial Hall administrative capital in Phuket City undertook to guarantee that blockades would be prevented in future.
The three vessels heading Phuket's way are single ships with the most interest focussing on the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu.
The Wikipedia entry for the USS Peleliu says: ''In August 2010, Peleliu was sent to Port of Karachi to enlist its 19 helicopters for the rescue effort during the 2010 Pakistan floods, the worst in Pakistan's history.
''During the deployment, Captain David Schnell, the ship's commanding officer, was relieved of command and reassigned for being 'unduly familiar' with several crew.
''Captain Mark E. Cedrun, chief of staff for Expeditionary Strike Group 3, replaced Schnell as commander of the ship.''
Phuket Navy League president Jimmy Madigan announced today that the cargo vessel USNS Richard E. Byrd will arrive on October 29.
Tentative dates have also been set for visits by the 39,96-ton USS Peleliu, which has Marines on board, from November 12-16, followed by the destroyer USS Shoup from November 17-20.
Larger contingents of personnel visited Phuket for MWR (morale, welfare, recreation) with the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz in January and the USS Ronald Reagan in September 2009.
Cruise ship companies have also complained about the excessively high cost of transport on Phuket.
UPDATE Phuket has 4000 illegal taxis, a meeting has been told at Provincial Hall. Planning continues for possible changes to the dysfunctional,overpriced system of public transport on the island.
Phuket Has 4000 Illegal Taxis, Meeting Hears
Phuket Taxi Blockades Bring Government Action
Breaking News Three incidents involving the blockading of US Navy personnel by Phuket taxi and tuktuk drivers have led to the formation of a special committee to oversee future visits.
Phuket Taxi Blockades Bring Government Action
Phuket Taxi Abuse: Cruise Line Slams 'Rip-Offs'
Latest Pressure to act on Phuket's taxi and tuktuk monopoly and rip off fares has increased with the criticisms of a cruise line that delivers thousands of tourists to the island.
Phuket Taxi Abuse: Cruise Line Slams 'Rip-Offs'
Phuket Follows USS Nimitz with Queen Mary 2
Photo Album With the USS Nimitz now off Phuket and thousands of sailors taking leave, Phuket can look forward to the next large visitor, the remarkable cruise liner Queen Mary 2.
Phuket Follows USS Nimitz with Queen Mary 2
Phuket Governor Warns About Tuk-Tuks, Ladyboys
Latest Phuket's Governor has welcomed about 1000 sailors of the Indian navy with a warning to be careful of the island's tuk tuks and ladyboys, plus excessive prices.
Phuket Governor Warns About Tuk-Tuks, Ladyboys
we will see if the Mxxxx can spoil Phuket's gain of a few hundred US navy personnel.
Millions of baht lost for the few bad apples, i think it is time to get some action.
Posted by Lord Jim on October 20, 2010 13:59