PHUKET: Three US warships are due to dock off Phuket on Monday with about 5000 sailors and Marines expected to enjoy several days of shore leave activities in the Phuket region.
The visit is likely to boost Phuket's economy by as much as $1 million a day.
Patong police met with US officials, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers and entertainment venue managements on Saturday afternoon for a briefing about the visit.
Douglas H. Robinson, Chief of Naval Security, Force Protection Detachment, US Embassy, headed a delegation of representatives providing information about the three US warships.
Largest of them is the 40,722-ton USS Boxer, (''America's Golden Gator'') a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship withj a crew of almost 1100 that is capable of carrying 1894 marines and up tp 42 aircraft.
Also in the amphibious-ready group is the USS Green Bay (''stand and fight, remain unvanquished'') which has a crew of about 350 and can deliver up to 800 Marines, and the USS Comstock, (''Teamwork-Drive-Courage'') a dock landing ship with a crew of 410 and capable of carrying about 500 troops.
Inflated Phuket prices greeted the first of about 5000 personnel from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its battle group when the warships anchored off Phuket's east coast in May.
Local authorities are likely to have tried to persuade vendors and taxi drivers at Phuket's east coast deep sea port to keep prices reasonable - or miss out on sales.
Arriving US military personnel are usually given full briefings on the kinds of pitfalls that may be encountered on Phuket.
Ladyboy katoeys, jet-skis and motorcycles-for-hire are on the list of items to be avoided if possible.
Many of the US sailors take the opportunity to spend time ashore, boosting the occupancy rates of local resorts and taking adventure tours to the region's coral reefs or elephant trekking in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
Phuket's Navy League welcomes officers and crew from the warships on Monday with an open buffet and beer at the irish Times Pub in Jungceylon, Patong, from 7pm with Navy personnel admitted free and visitors charged 400 baht.
Phuket's US Navy Greeting: $3 for a Bottle of WaterThe visit is likely to boost Phuket's economy by as much as $1 million a day.
Patong police met with US officials, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers and entertainment venue managements on Saturday afternoon for a briefing about the visit.
Douglas H. Robinson, Chief of Naval Security, Force Protection Detachment, US Embassy, headed a delegation of representatives providing information about the three US warships.
Largest of them is the 40,722-ton USS Boxer, (''America's Golden Gator'') a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship withj a crew of almost 1100 that is capable of carrying 1894 marines and up tp 42 aircraft.
Also in the amphibious-ready group is the USS Green Bay (''stand and fight, remain unvanquished'') which has a crew of about 350 and can deliver up to 800 Marines, and the USS Comstock, (''Teamwork-Drive-Courage'') a dock landing ship with a crew of 410 and capable of carrying about 500 troops.
Inflated Phuket prices greeted the first of about 5000 personnel from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its battle group when the warships anchored off Phuket's east coast in May.
Local authorities are likely to have tried to persuade vendors and taxi drivers at Phuket's east coast deep sea port to keep prices reasonable - or miss out on sales.
Arriving US military personnel are usually given full briefings on the kinds of pitfalls that may be encountered on Phuket.
Ladyboy katoeys, jet-skis and motorcycles-for-hire are on the list of items to be avoided if possible.
Many of the US sailors take the opportunity to spend time ashore, boosting the occupancy rates of local resorts and taking adventure tours to the region's coral reefs or elephant trekking in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
Phuket's Navy League welcomes officers and crew from the warships on Monday with an open buffet and beer at the irish Times Pub in Jungceylon, Patong, from 7pm with Navy personnel admitted free and visitors charged 400 baht.
News Analysis/Photo Album About 5000 US Navy personnel will be on Phuket for the next few days, having fun and learning a lot about the difference between rip offs and real Thai hospitality.
Phuket's US Navy Greeting: $3 for a Bottle of Water
Phuket Taxi Truce Greets US Warship Visitors
Photo Album Reaching out to embrace US warship visitors and their dollars were vendors, taxi drivers and resorts at Phuket's deep sea port. Millions of baht are walking ashore.
Phuket Taxi Truce Greets US Warship Visitors
Taxi Stand-off: US Still Loves Phuket Shore Leave
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Taxi Stand-off: US Still Loves Phuket Shore Leave
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Latest Out of the blue come two US warships on a surprise visit to Phuket, just in time for Valentines Day. Is the US Navy really in love with the holiday island, or happy to settle for a fling?
Phuket Greets US Warships: Can This Be Love?
US Warships Anchor! Phuket's All Set to Rumble
Extra Photos Added The USS Ronald Reagan anchors off Phuket with other US warships and a stream of sailors begin heading for the island. It's a bonus for tourism after a lean low season.
US Warships Anchor! Phuket's All Set to Rumble
US Warships Visit Brings Ladyboy Crime Invaders
Phuketwan Exclusive The visit by USS Ronald Reagan and other US warships to Phuket has triggered an invasion by ladyboys, bent on a crime wave. Here's what one of their first victims has to say.
US Warships Visit Brings Ladyboy Crime Invaders
An army of tuk-tuks laden with small bottles of water repriced to 200 baht each is heading down there as I write.
Posted by Brian on August 21, 2011 15:15