Phuket tightens security for arrival of about 5,000 US Navy personnel
In short
Police in Thailand's Phuket province moved to heightened duty from 4 to 9 October because about 5,000 US Navy personnel arrived on the island, with 150 officers deployed. The US embassy in Thailand said the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black arrived at Phuket on a scheduled visit. Road police will focus on the Patong beach area, a main draw for foreign tourists.
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Police in Thailand's Phuket province moved to heightened duty from 4 to 9 October because about 5,000 US Navy personnel arrived on the island, Vedomosti reported, citing Amarin TV and the regional police directorate. TASS put the figure at more than 5,000, while RBC said about 5,000. According to Vedomosti and TASS, 150 police officers were assigned to maintain order. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Phuket police commander Surachai Suksai said a joint operations centre had been set up with tourist and immigration police, local authorities and the Thai navy. The officers' work includes gathering operational information, round-the-clock patrols and managing traffic flows, Vedomosti reported. Road police will pay particular attention to the Patong beach area, described as one of the main centres attracting foreign tourists. Authorities pooled police, local government and Thai navy resources to protect residents, tourists and the visiting military personnel, according to the report. [ 3 ]
On 4 October the US embassy in Thailand said the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black had arrived at Phuket on a scheduled visit, Vedomosti reported. The embassy said Thailand is the United States' oldest partner in Asia and its only treaty ally in continental Southeast Asia. [ 3 ]
Captain Justin T. Issler said the carrier's crew had shown strong results throughout the deployment, demonstrating discipline, resilience and cohesion, according to Vedomosti. He said the port call would give sailors the chance to learn about Thai culture, meet local residents and strengthen relations with Thai naval partners. [ 3 ]
Vedomosti also noted an April report by The Washington Post, citing US officials, that the Pentagon would send thousands more service members to the Middle East to pressure Iran. The documents do not connect that report to the Phuket visit. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
Phuket is a major tourism hub, so a week of heightened policing and a large foreign military presence affects both residents and visitors on the island. The documents present the port call as part of the US-Thai security relationship, which the US embassy described as Washington's oldest partnership in Asia.
Key facts
- Police in Thailand's Phuket province went to heightened duty from 4 to 9 October over the arrival of about 5,000 US Navy personnel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- About 150 police officers were deployed, according to Vedomosti, citing regional police, and TASS. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Authorities set up a joint operations centre with tourist and immigration police, local authorities and the Thai navy, Phuket police commander Surachai Suksai said. [ 3 ]
- Police work includes intelligence gathering, round-the-clock patrols and traffic management, with road police focusing on the Patong beach area. [ 3 ]
- The US embassy in Thailand said on 4 October that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black arrived at Phuket on a scheduled visit. [ 3 ]
- The embassy said Thailand is the United States' oldest partner in Asia and its only treaty ally in continental Southeast Asia. [ 3 ]
- Captain Justin T. Issler said the carrier crew had shown strong results, discipline, resilience and cohesion, and that the port call would let sailors experience Thai culture and strengthen ties with Thai naval partners. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The exact number of arriving US personnel. TASS says more than 5,000, while RBC and Vedomosti say about 5,000; the documents give no precise figure.
- Whether the port call is connected to any other US military deployment. Vedomosti also cites an April Washington Post report on additional US troops being sent to the Middle East, but the documents do not link that report to the Phuket visit.
- What the visit will involve beyond the port call and shore leave. The documents describe the visit as scheduled and give no programme or duration beyond the 4-9 October security window.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Phuket has tightened security measures over the arrival of more than 5,000 US military personnel, with 150 police officers engaged. [ 1 ]
- RBC reports that Phuket authorities tightened security because about 5,000 US military personnel are arriving on the island. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports Phuket police are on heightened duty from 4 to 9 October, a joint operations centre has been created and the US embassy announced the arrival of the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Delbert D. Black on 4 October. [ 3 ]