UPDATE: Two US Navy ships arrive in Phuket with 5,109 personnel for six-day visit

Two US Navy ships carrying a combined 5,109 personnel have arrived in Phuket for a six-day visit running from 4 to 9 October 2026, with security and transport arrangements in place around Phuket Deep Sea Port.

The Thaiger reported that the vessels are the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), carrying about 4,820 personnel, and the destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119), carrying about 289 personnel. US personnel are coming ashore for rest and tourism during the visit.

The USS George H.W. Bush is anchored about 1.78 nautical miles, or roughly 3.3 kilometres, offshore from Phuket Deep Sea Port in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district. Fourteen transport boats are being used to ferry personnel between the two ships and the Phuket shore.

The Phuket Regional Marine Office is overseeing vessel movements around the port and coordinating with other agencies to ensure the transport boats can move personnel safely. Phuket harbour master Adul Ruekmul and officials from relevant agencies were at the port to coordinate marine traffic, transport and security arrangements.

Security around the port was tightened on 4 October, with police and military personnel deployed and sniffer dogs brought in to inspect the area. US Navy personnel also set up a coordination point and tents to support those coming ashore, The Thaiger reported.

The confirmed arrival follows preparations discussed on 2 October at Phuket Provincial Hall, where the provincial governor met Lou Pham, deputy assistant defence attaché for US forces, and a delegation from the US Embassy’s Force Protection Detachment in Thailand.

Thai Navy’s Third Area Command, Phuket police, provincial officials, the Phuket Regional Marine Office, the provincial sports authority, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation and other agencies joined discussions on security, logistics and area management.

The governor said Phuket would use a Single Command system to coordinate the agencies and operate a war room around the clock. The province will also use its ‘Phuket Eye’ system, an artificial-intelligence-enabled CCTV network covering key areas across the island, to monitor people and incidents that could affect safety.

Officials asked the visiting US personnel to comply with Thai laws and local regulations and to respect Thai customs and culture, including the country’s Buddhist traditions. Phuket said it would welcome the visitors and provide assistance within the law.

Pham thanked the province for its preparations and said the Force Protection Detachment’s mission was to help safeguard US personnel visiting Thailand. He said the delegation placed importance on ensuring that personnel behaved appropriately and respected local rules.

The US delegation welcomed the visit and praised the province’s preparations and inter-agency coordination. It said the visit was expected to support ties between Thailand and the United States in economic, tourism and cultural areas.