ABOUT 2000 US Navy personnel and Marines are due on Phuket tomorrow, the first substantial military group to visit the island for several months.

The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu is to anchor off Phuket's deep sea port about 2pm. Interest will centre on whether Phuket authorities have managed to organise a system to prevent blockades by tuk-tuks and taxis of the kind that bedevilled three previous large-scale MWR (morale, welfare, recreation) visits.

A repetition would threaten future visits by US warships. With 2000 personnel on Phuket in shifts between November 13-17 the US servicemen and women will be providing Phuket with a huge revenue boost in readiness for what's expected to be a record-setting high season.

Nightclubs have been advised by Patong police to ''turn off the lights'' at 2am, the official closing time on Phuket. The Factory nightclub, which promotes itself as Phuket's largest, has chosen Saturday night to open in the old thai boxing and Shark Club premises at the top of Soi Bangla.

Douglas H. Robinson, Chief, Navy Security, Force Protection Detachment, met yesterday with Kathu Police Station Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, other senior police, nightclub operators and Patrong businesspeople to explain the expectations of the American visitors.

While military police will oversee the behavior of US personnel, Police Colonel Nikorn Chootong told Phuketwan today that a special help counter would be set up outside the Pizza Company in Soi Bangla to answer any questions that visitors might have.

Local police usually keep an eye on ladyboy katoeys who tend to come to the island in greater numbers once word spreads that US warships are anchoring off Phuket. Previous visits have been notable for the lack of problems.

US personnel are advised not to hire jet-skis or local vehicles of any kind, although footage of ''JJ'' Naiman extracting cash from US Marines over a damage claim for a jet-ski was posted on the Internet last year.

The Phuket US Navy League is expected to announce a welcome party and various other activities, including volunteer charity work by the Marines and sailors, closer to the ship's arrival.

It is believed the USS Peleliu has been performing humanitarian aid duties off Pakistan. Another vessel, with a crew of about 300, is due to visit Phuket soon.

TWO events have been organised on Phuket by the Navy League for US military personnel visiting Phuket. November 14 Ship Welcome Party and Buffet Dinner, BBQ Hut Smokehouse, Patong. Cost: 200 baht for NL members and 400 baht for non-members. Crew and embarked personnel from the USS Peleliu free, from 6pm, with a no-host bar. November 15 Ship Golf Tournament with officers of the USS Peleliu at the Phunaka Golf Course (located near the road leading to the Big Buddha from Chaofa West). Registration from noon, tee time 1pm. Cost: 2000 baht. Call Jimmy Madigan: 084 2420005.



The US Navy is back to Phuket in a big way!

USS Peleliu, based out of San Diego California, drops anchor in Phuket today, 13 November for a five day rest and relaxation period after being at sea for more than four months. The USS Peleliu carries approximately 960 Sailors and up to 1900 Marines, which will be a very nice start for the Phuket high season. This is the second visit for the USS Peleliu to Phuket, the last visit was in June 2006.

The USS Peleliu arrives to Phuket fresh out of the Arabian Sea following 10 weeks of relief efforts after the devastating Pakistan floods. The USS Peleliu remained off the coast of Pakistan for 10 weeks, helping evacuate nearly 9000 internally displaced persons and delivering more than six million pounds (2.715 million kilograms) of food and relief supplies.

The USS Peleliu has a 254 meter long flight deck which is 40 meters wide, the ships displacement is over 39,900 tons at full load. The USS Peleliu will coordinate with and be joined by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, The US Navy League - Thailand Southern Seaboard Chapter, the International Business Association Phuket (IBAP), and QSI International School for three Community Relations (COMREL) projects while in Phuket.

The COMREL projects will be at the Home & Life Phang Nga Foundation which is over the Sarasin Bridge in Phang Nga, WatThepNimit School between Phuket Town and Chalong, and at WatSawangk Arrom School in Rawai. Repair and safety of playgrounds, painting of classroom buildings, and river erosion shore up and planting of fruit trees are in order for the US Sailors and Marines and the local volunteers during these COMREL projects. Glen Defense Marine is this COMREL sponsor supplying all materials for the three COMRELs.

Over the past four years the US Navy and US Marines have conducted 63 COMREL projects in the greater Phuket area averaging Baht 15,000 per project plus a lot of manpower. The Rotary Club of Patong Beach has been the coordinator and sponsor for all the projects.

Welcome back to Phuket USS Peleliu!