Phuket

stevem · #1 12-10-2005, 22:30

The US Navy is currently in town, whilst in small numbers, it is a good sign that they are looking at coming back again.

steve@thaib · #2 12-10-2005, 22:35

I remember them turning up one year, 1999 I think, and pretty much hoovering up every girl in town! They put a banner across the street 'welcome U.S. Navy' and all the girls were walking around like John Wayne for a few days.

I seem to remember they had to go back on to the ships at night tho? Not sure and I only recall being in town the same time once. Good news though I guess.

Talbotman · #3 12-10-2005, 23:26

PERSONALLY i hope they have gone before i arrive i used to be a squaddie myslef so i know what goes on . And i have had the misfortune to be in pattaya many times when we have had them in town and its not an enjoyable experience. And also my mates who own the penthouse hotel and the classroom go go tell me they are not good spenders they walk around with their beer bought cheeply in a supermarket and come into the go go bars and order cokes . I am coming with my girlfriend and i can do without going for a slash and having to argue with a pissed up G I who has moved in on her.

barfly · #4 13-10-2005, 00:52

They do tend to take over everywhere they go!

stevem · #5 13-10-2005, 02:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by barfly

They do tend to take over everywhere they go!

As I said, there is only a small number of them here. Patong does really need their support.

faultytowers · #6 13-10-2005, 02:47

Have been in Patong quite a few times when US navy in town , never seen any trouble. Shore Patrol are always around and pop into Go-go's etc to make sure there are no problems. If anyone screws up , they are banned from shore leave.

stevem · #7 13-10-2005, 02:54

During one US Navy visit had a guy drop a gun, well it had a barrel, handle and trigger on the floor. Sent a staff member out to get the SP. It turned out it was a copy starting pistol, but this guy poor guy was forceable removed and marched back to the ship.

All firearms are banned from licensed premises in Thailand, even the police arent meant to carry firearms inside.

Sitrom · #8 13-10-2005, 03:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

Have been in Patong quite a few times when US navy in town , never seen any trouble. Shore Patrol are always around and pop into Go-go's etc to make sure there are no problems. If anyone screws up , they are banned from shore leave.

Agree with this. Everytime I was in a port that had the military there the SP was all over the place making sure nothing happened. Hang out in the go-go's with their bottled water and just wait for something to happen. It calms down those on shore leave real fast. Just mention SP to them if they are getting upity (thou with 5+ SP in there this rarely happens) and it's insta sober and mai pen rai.

nelsonone · #9 13-10-2005, 03:38

what concerns me with the US Navy being in town (apart from their sometimes boorish behaviour) is the added risk of Patong being targetted by terrorists.

If you remember the first Bali bombings the US Fleet was mentioned as the target (however they had just left that day) plus they have been the main focal point for most other indonesian + Middle Eastern attacks

butterflyblonde · #10 13-10-2005, 04:33

I met quite a few on my last tour of Pattaya.

I didn't see a single fight anywhere and the MP did a fantastic job of keeping order on the streets.

I met both the squaddies and the MP in several Agogo's and found them all to be a decent bunch of guys. Even had a few beers bought for me by some.

Any fears I had that this might mar my holiday were soon put to rest, there were still more girls to go around than you could handle, as the boys only do s/t it was easy to find a cheap deal on agogo girls after hours, they don't venture much further than Walking st so it really ain't a problem.

I never tried patong though while the navy are in town so can't comment.

Mav · #11 13-10-2005, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

As I said, there is only a small number of them here. Patong does really need their support.

Good for Patong...........thank goodness l am several thousand miles away !.....for once l do not feel like being in Patong.

swiftdave · #12 13-10-2005, 11:25

So it won't just be ships full of American seamen

dj dave · #13 13-10-2005, 12:22

Another very good sign.

fun2have · #14 13-10-2005, 14:04

in july (i think) there was a small invasion of us sailors to patong they were very well behaved.

the shore patrol were very visible.

i did notice on the day before they were due to arrive a meeting at the new mosque being built on the road to phuket town.

so i think the local moslem elders must have quelled any visible anti-american feeling from boiling over.

IRISH JONNY · #15 13-10-2005, 14:08

I Personally Dont Like The Navy Guys......but If Its Good For Business.....so Be It.......just Hope They Arent In Town For Any Of My Tours !!!!! And They Leave The Girls In One Piece ...........
Ij

alibaba · #16 13-10-2005, 15:46

I've been ther several times when the've been in and have never seen any problems. As for them taking all the girls, I reckon there's plenty to go around. In fact some girls prefer not to go with them.
I reckon it's a case of live and let live.

Deadbolt · #17 14-10-2005, 00:47

Good to hear the Navy is back in Phuket. My first visit to LOS was courtesy of the USN. Thailand is the last place the Navy stops before spending a VERY long time in the Persian Gulf, so the majority of the sailors are on their best behavior (well, as good as can be expected). Just curious, what are the laws in Thailand regarding firearm ownership? Would that knucklehead sailor with the starter pistol have been in more trouble if he had run into the MIB rather than the SP? I still have a lot of friends who are in the Navy, so I will make sure and direct them to all of the BM fine establishments.

LivinLOS · #18 14-10-2005, 10:28

Laws here on firearms are that its difficult (as a farang) to legally own one but you dont seem to get in very big trouble if you get caught with an unlicensed one.. I have even been told by a police man and a connected person that if I had one at home and was caught (I cant have one legally due to visa status) it could all be smoothed over.. I think if you carry one on the street you would have more trouble but if you are a resident and known to the gun club (and in turn many of the local MIB) you seem to get a little leeway..

fun2have · #19 14-10-2005, 11:42

yes LOL your spot on i was told that for a farang to have a firearm legally it is easiest to join the local pistol shooting club in your town.

My current gfs father is a retired policeman and her brother in law is in the force now, took me to the local police pistol club in udon.(army, airforce and police each have a range)

MIB hold most of the senior positions in the pistol clubs in the 2 (rural) amphurs i have spent the most time in.

other than police, military guards, some security guards, the only other people i know who legally carry firearms are registered money couriers which discards most farang as they are not permitted to work in that area.

Deadbolt · #20 14-10-2005, 21:00

A little off topic here, but in regards to guns and farangs in Thailand I was just wondering if some of the expats worry that they might be targets. I'm sure not everyone in Thailand is smiling when they see a farang with a big house on the hill, a car, a hot Thai girl on his arm, and probably more money in their wallets than the average Thai makes in a year. Home invasions are on the rise here (Texas) and, it may just be American paranoia, but I would feel a little safer for myself and my family if I lived in a foreign country and had a little .45 caliber friend to even the odds.

butterflyblonde · #21 14-10-2005, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

A little off topic here, but in regards to guns and farangs in Thailand I was just wondering if some of the expats worry that they might be targets. I'm sure not everyone in Thailand is smiling when they see a farang with a big house on the hill, a car, a hot Thai girl on his arm, and probably more money in their wallets than the average Thai makes in a year. Home invasions are on the rise here (Texas) and, it may just be American paranoia, but I would feel a little safer for myself and my family if I lived in a foreign country and had a little .45 caliber friend to even the odds.

That's a valid point Deadbolt...perhaps have a grandma sitting out front on the porch with a double barrel shotgun.

The kind of thing you have mentioned does happen occasionally...here is a thread I posted a while back in the news section which illustrates your point.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ne...un-attack.html

stevem · #22 15-10-2005, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

it may just be American paranoia,

YES, your right there. Never felt the need to worry about anything.