PHUKET: The Phuket and Phang Nga-based sailors who danced Gangnam-style to the music of Korea's chart-topping Psy have been criticised for making a popular video and posting it on Youtube.

Royal Thai Navy high-ups have not joined the chorus doing the horse-riding moves that have the whole world enjoying Asia's first real dance craze.

Psy's Gangnam Style reasched the No.1 spot on the British music charts on Sunday, a first for a Korean singer, with the infectious dance song at No.2 spot on the US chart.

Navy officers were not all happy with the Gangnam Style video that the Phuket and Phang Nga-based sailors took apparent delight in performing.


Phuket Sailors Shake It, Gangnam Style
WHATEVER they lack as dancers, Phuket's protectors certainly know how to have fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHx4nF7jJzI/

Some senior officers were said to have been offended by the ''improper'' spectacle of officers in dress whites prancing about, according to the Bangkok Post.

Vice Admiral Tharathorn Kajitsuwan, the Third Naval Area commander, said the video was made for entertainment purposes and to be showcased at the unit's annual retirement party.

''I told my subordinates that the video should be entertaining to watch and help promote unity in the unit,'' Vice Admiral Tharathorn told the newspaper.

He said officers and employees in the unit including those who will retire this year were encouraged to participate in the making of the video.

''I told them my idea that they should make it fun, probably mimicking the Gangnam Style dance moves which are so popular now, but I didn't think things would turn out this way,'' the commander said.

''I didn't expect my subordinates would upload the video to YouTube, but they have the right to do so.''

Navy Commander Surasak Rounroengrom ruled that no harm was done to the Navy's image. ''I will only warn them like brothers and there will be no punishment.''

Tourists heading for Phuket and the Andaman region are likely to be delighted to entrust their welfare to a bunch who clearly like to have fun.

And as a promotion for Phuket, Phang Nga and the Navy, the video seemed to be doing quite well. The Navy's dance number had been viewed more than 400,000 times up to today.

Many Thai provinces have the Army as their protectors but off Phuket and Phang Nga, the Navy patrols the Andaman Sea. Sailors guard the marine environment, especially the turtle sanctuary on the Similan islands.

Phuketwan has suggested that Navy patrols along Patong beach this high season would be an ideal way of ensuring disputes between jet-ski operators and tourists are resolved peacefully, Gangnam Style.