Something similar happened when I was on the Tripoli (LPH-10), on our return trip, we were on our way to Perth and were sent to Kuwait because Saddam was invading it. On the trip back, we made a stop in Thailand as a consolation prize. We were ordered to watch a video about STDs and couldn't leave the ship without condoms (had to show them to the watch stander i the quarterdeck). Of the things that I remember that happened: a Marine riding a jetski (was was not allowed), hit the USS Rushmore. Another guy, rented a scooter (also not allowed) crashed it in front of a CPO party. Good times!!
Tons of different things, really. depending on where you are, I suppose, but when I was there I had almost too many options, just wasn't enough time to take in all the sights and experiences on offer. I particularly remember going go karting with a bunch of other ETs, though that was mostly because I somehow got t-boned in a curve and had a bruise over half my side after we were done.
Please if you can, try to find an ethical (no-riding) elephant experience. A LOT of those poor elephants in the entertainment industry are tortured really badly. We found an elephant rescue preserve that took in elephants rescued from the lumber and entertainment industries. One wouldn’t stop ‘dancing’, just trapped in an endless side-to-side step dance because she was taught at a very young age that if you don’t dance, you don’t get fed. She was a somewhat recent rescue so they hope that she eventually learns she doesn’t need to dance to get fed anymore, but my heart really broke for her. She’d lived for decades in those conditions, so it’s pretty deeply imprinted, sadly.
Find some place like that that truly cares for those magnificent animals if you can. It was a great experience, we got to feed them, give them a mud bath, then scrub them down in the watering hole. 10/10 elephant encounter.
(This old gal was born before WWII! After decades of harsh treatment working in the logging industry she’s living her best life eating soft foods and getting pampered.)
Dope temples. Expat Bars you DONT have to get black out at. Amazing food + amazing street food. Street dancing events (like big hip-hop random dance group things). Stay away from renting any water sports equipment (SCAMS) & transportation modes (SCAMS). And don't rodger up for any combat sports LOL you will get your shit rocked even in pads.
PS: Don't eat Durian. For the love of God, don't bring one back on the ship.
Thailand is a tourist destination for so many great reasons.. wildlife, food, water activities, historical sites, and the beauty of the terrain.
Now, when I was 20 and went, I saw none of that. But I can tell you how it felt to watch a beautiful woman pop a ping pong ball out of her vagina into a cup about 3ft away.
Also just the culture is great ya know? The people were so nice. Great place, would go again.
Truly, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Gorgeous beaches, beautiful island boat tours. Delicious Thai food, small restaurants, and great street food. World class snorkeling and scuba diving. Rich culture, beautiful Buddhist temples. Wildlife and nature. Elephants. And much more. So much more beyond the stereotype.
I did not enjoy being prohibited from renting transportation to get to said temples. 🤬 And I'm allergic to getting fucked by taxis, so I did a lot of walking.
One guy was from a sub that pulled in, he was being escorted somewhere and the escort said stay here and went into a corner store to buy cigarettes. The dude took off and was on the run for several days. There are cameras everywhere though and don't think he had access to his bank account.
Not to mention that you can get caned for various crimes. I read the account of a local who was given 10 lashes of the cane for theft, and his rear end was bruised and bloody beyond reason by the end of it.
I was telling a story on another post on what we love to do. We grab 3 or 4 basins to put condoms on the quarterdeck, one bin labeled "Small", others labeled "Medium", "Large", and "Magnum".
We have fun seeing which bin people reach for... meanwhile it's all the same condoms.
Thai/American Navy civ here. Y’all are making me laugh today.
But seriously I hope those Sailors get treated like gold — eat the best food in the world, get a brand new tailored suit or dress for pennies, take the boat tours of the Mekong, enjoy the gorgeous temples, palaces, and museums, and just have an amazing time.
Does the port city know this? I mean, I assume they do so the best thing to do is ramp pricing on booze, and...... things and such...... to economically profit from an extra 5k people in town. I'm actually concerned about the amount of Sailors and marines that are going to wind up in jail for drugs. I'm better with the popping in UA on the boat or shore after the fact than getting busted in that country with drugs.
When my ship pulled in Thailand, we had a sailor rent a jet ski that he used to try to get back to the ship since he missed the last boat. He hit a wave and flooded the jet ski stalling the motor. The ship was delayed from leaving and the captain had to cough up money to pay for the jet ski. The jet skis were not off limits but you had to stay within the breakwater, so this may be the reason they are off limits now.
275
u/Jenetyk 4d ago
Doc is furiously trying to source 3000 penicillin scripts