Phuket Prepares to Welcome 5,000 US Navy Personnel
Phuket is preparing to host more than 5,000 U.S. Navy sailors from the USS George H.W. Bush and USS Mason for rest and recreation. The province will deploy its island‑wide Phuket Eye CCTV network and operate a 24‑hour security coordination centre to ensure safety. Officials stressed that visiting personnel must respect Thai laws, regulations, and local Buddhist customs during their stay.
Phuket is preparing to receive more than 5,000 U.S. Navy sailors who will dock at the province for rest and recreation. On October 2, 2026, Phuket Governor Chotinarin Koetsom welcomed Lu Fam, deputy assistant U.S. defense attaché, and his team at the provincial hall to discuss security and facilitation arrangements for the visiting forces from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and the guided‑missile destroyer USS Mason.
The meeting included representatives from the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Fleet, Phuket Provincial Police, local administration, the Phuket Provincial Office, the Regional Marine Office Phuket branch, the Sports Authority of Thailand Phuket office, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization, the Phuket Passport Office, and other relevant agencies. They agreed to integrate security efforts through a single‑command system, operate a 24‑hour situation room, and deploy the island‑wide “Phuket Eye” smart CCTV network that uses AI to monitor and detect abnormal activity.
Governor Chotinarin stressed that Phuket prioritizes peace and safety for residents and visitors, urging the U.S. personnel to obey Thai laws, regulations, and local customs, especially respecting Buddhist traditions. Lu Fam thanked Phuket for its hospitality and preparation, noting that the Force Protection Detachment’s mission is to ensure the safety of U.S. service members while they carry out their duties in Thailand.
The U.S. delegation expressed pleasure at visiting Phuket, praising its natural beauty and popularity as a tourist destination, and said they hoped the visit would strengthen Thai‑U.S. ties in economics, tourism, and culture.
