Phuket prepares for 5,000 US Navy personnel port visit

Phuket authorities are preparing for a large-scale port visit by approximately 5,000 US Navy personnel scheduled from October 4 to 9, 2026. The group includes roughly 4,800 crew members from the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush and about 320 from the destroyer USS Delbert D. Black.

To ensure public order and safety, Phuket Governor Chotinrin Koedsom and local police have coordinated a single-command security structure, including a 24-hour operations center. The vessels will anchor in Makham Bay, with transport boats ferrying personnel to the island. While sailors are permitted to explore various parts of the island, including Patong Beach, local authorities have issued a specific prohibition against renting or riding motorcycles to ensure safety.

The visit is intended to provide rest and recreation for the crew while benefiting the local economy. Approximately 30 percent of the personnel are women, and an estimated 80 percent are young sailors visiting Phuket for the first time.