THREE more US Navy warships are to anchor off Phuket for shore leave next week as the use of the island for visits between assignments continues to grow.
From March 3 to March 7 it will be the turn of sailors from USS Cleveland, USS Rushmore and USS Patriot to enjoy what's known as MWR leave - morale, welfare, recreation.
Use of Phuket for the modern version of R&R is a demonstration that the US Navy considers the island to be a safe and secure place for its sailors to unwind.
Those heading ashore are usually advised to go easy on alcohol consumption and to steer clear of hiring jet-skis and tuk-tuks, the cause of most of the problems among visitors who are not in uniform.
Next week's visit will be the first US Navy visit for the new chief of Kathu police, Colonel Arayapan Pukburkhao, who took charge of overseeing the island's liveliest resort town, Patong, earlier this month.
Usually local police liaise closely with US Navy shore patrols to make sure the sailors do not overdo it. Many sailors take the opportunity to go on tours or diving trips and catch up on sleep on shore in resorts.
USS Cleveland is an amphibious transport dock with a history dating back to the Vietnam War. USS Rushmore is a dock landing ship and USS Patriot in a mine countermeasures ship.
The Phuket Navy League is organising a welcome and charity work for the crews.
Phuket Greets US Warships: Can This Be Love?From March 3 to March 7 it will be the turn of sailors from USS Cleveland, USS Rushmore and USS Patriot to enjoy what's known as MWR leave - morale, welfare, recreation.
Use of Phuket for the modern version of R&R is a demonstration that the US Navy considers the island to be a safe and secure place for its sailors to unwind.
Those heading ashore are usually advised to go easy on alcohol consumption and to steer clear of hiring jet-skis and tuk-tuks, the cause of most of the problems among visitors who are not in uniform.
Next week's visit will be the first US Navy visit for the new chief of Kathu police, Colonel Arayapan Pukburkhao, who took charge of overseeing the island's liveliest resort town, Patong, earlier this month.
Usually local police liaise closely with US Navy shore patrols to make sure the sailors do not overdo it. Many sailors take the opportunity to go on tours or diving trips and catch up on sleep on shore in resorts.
USS Cleveland is an amphibious transport dock with a history dating back to the Vietnam War. USS Rushmore is a dock landing ship and USS Patriot in a mine countermeasures ship.
The Phuket Navy League is organising a welcome and charity work for the crews.
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?
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 Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
Photo Album There did not seem to be a lot of singing when we joined the US Navy for a tour of the USS New Orleans. But the sailors did seem a peaceful bunch, ideal for Phuket.
Phuket Joins the US Navy: Take Our Photo Tour
US Warships Give Peace a Chance in Patong
Patong Stroll Photo Album The US Navy has begun a subtle invasion of Phuket with broad smiles and cheerful attitudes as their weapons in warding off Patong's touts and tarts.
US Warships Give Peace a Chance in Patong
Phuket Jet-Ski Operators Make 109 Accident Claims
UPDATE Some jet-ski operators are avoiding insurance while others are not keeping up their payments, a meeting at Provincial Hall hears. More than 400,000 baht has been paid in claims.
Phuket Jet-Ski Operators Make 109 Accident Claims
Great....now Phuket will be in the same category as Subic Bay,Phillipines/ Okinawa,Japan and last but not least Pattaya. This does NOTHING to increase the image of Phuket. Let these drunken sailors go to Pattaya where they will fit right in.
Let's face it, they are not here to support the local economy as they are not "big spenders" but to partake in the darker side that is Thailand. No good will come of this i assure you.
Posted by tom on March 2, 2010 09:45