TWO US warships have their hearts set on being anchored off Phuket for Valentines Day.
One of the warships, USS Curts, arrived quietly today and the other, USS Benfold, comes in tomorrow.
The arrival of the Curts, a guided-missile frigate, and the Benfold, a destroyer, came as a surprise at short notice.
Warning sirens sounded and Phuket's greetings forces scrambled into action as news of the arrivals spread.
Whether the sailors are in port for Valentines at this stage depends on the commanders of the vessels. But US Navy ships usually stay off Phuket for four or five days.
Slipping under the radar may become a habit if you are at sea for a long stretch. And for the USS Benfold, it's a return visit. The ship was last here in October.
Both vessels have complements of around 300 crew, so for Phuket, it's just like having a couple of five-star resorts pull up alongside.
Much effort has gone into figuring out just how much money US sailors spend when they are ashore. The latest estimate, from within the Navy, puts the figure at 10,000 baht per sailor per day.
Given that about 6000 sailors were involved in the visit by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and two companion warships earlier this year, that would make a four-day visit worth quite a hefty sum to the island's economy.
It seems, based on the number of recent visits, that the US Navy is definitely enamoured with Phuket, which is something the island will be happy to embrace.
Sending a couple of warships by surprise may just be the Pentagon's quiet way of saying, ''Phuket, we love you.''
The Phuket Navy League is hosting a welcome party for the officers and crew of the ships at the BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong (opposite the Mercure).in Patong from 7pm on Thursday. Visitors are asked to pay 400 baht, while members pay 200 baht. A uniform provides free entry.
A call also went out tonight for volunteers for a project at Kamala Beach School. Coordinator Brad Kenny asks that as many Navy League members as possible join because the workload is large and the number of crew from the USS Curts is small.
Volunteers are advised to be there at 9.30am, near Kamala temple, on the beach road.
Phuket Follows USS Nimitz with Queen Mary 2One of the warships, USS Curts, arrived quietly today and the other, USS Benfold, comes in tomorrow.
The arrival of the Curts, a guided-missile frigate, and the Benfold, a destroyer, came as a surprise at short notice.
Warning sirens sounded and Phuket's greetings forces scrambled into action as news of the arrivals spread.
Whether the sailors are in port for Valentines at this stage depends on the commanders of the vessels. But US Navy ships usually stay off Phuket for four or five days.
Slipping under the radar may become a habit if you are at sea for a long stretch. And for the USS Benfold, it's a return visit. The ship was last here in October.
Both vessels have complements of around 300 crew, so for Phuket, it's just like having a couple of five-star resorts pull up alongside.
Much effort has gone into figuring out just how much money US sailors spend when they are ashore. The latest estimate, from within the Navy, puts the figure at 10,000 baht per sailor per day.
Given that about 6000 sailors were involved in the visit by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and two companion warships earlier this year, that would make a four-day visit worth quite a hefty sum to the island's economy.
It seems, based on the number of recent visits, that the US Navy is definitely enamoured with Phuket, which is something the island will be happy to embrace.
Sending a couple of warships by surprise may just be the Pentagon's quiet way of saying, ''Phuket, we love you.''
The Phuket Navy League is hosting a welcome party for the officers and crew of the ships at the BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong (opposite the Mercure).in Patong from 7pm on Thursday. Visitors are asked to pay 400 baht, while members pay 200 baht. A uniform provides free entry.
A call also went out tonight for volunteers for a project at Kamala Beach School. Coordinator Brad Kenny asks that as many Navy League members as possible join because the workload is large and the number of crew from the USS Curts is small.
Volunteers are advised to be there at 9.30am, near Kamala temple, on the beach road.
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I heard that the sailors who wanted to get from the east coast to the fun in Patong on the west coast were quoted a fare of 2600 Baht. Is that true ?
Posted by Gerd on February 11, 2010 13:34