USS George HW Bush heading for Phuket for 6 days R&R. Docks October 5 with over five thousand sailors

September 29, 2026 at 8:35 pm

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

in Economy , Living , Media , Politics , Thailand

A US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is steaming from Middle East operations towards Phuket with more than 5,000 personnel and a major tourism payday in prospect. USS George H.W. Bush arrives on October 5 after months in the Arabian Sea, even as Washington’s blockade of Iran continues. Its six-day visit comes barely a month after USS Abraham Lincoln delivered an estimated ฿100 million spending surge to Pattaya. Now Phuket gets its turn, with a larger American contingent arriving as visitor numbers, hotel occupancy and tourism revenues fall behind just before the beginning of the crucial high season.

USS George H.W. Bush brings 5,000-plus US personnel to Phuket on October 5 after Middle East operations, following Lincoln’s ฿100m Pattaya spending boost. ( Source: The Phuket New s)

The USS George H.W. Bush is heading for Phuket after months of operations linked to the conflict with Iran. More than 5,000 US military personnel are expected during a six-day visit from October 5-10.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will arrive with guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black. Together, the two warships carry approximately 5,120 personnel. Notably, their arrival comes as Phuket’s tourism market weakens ahead of the critical high season.

The visit follows another major American carrier call in Thailand barely one month earlier. USS Abraham Lincoln visited from September 2-6 after its own prolonged Middle East deployment. About 4,800 American sailors and Marines went ashore around Pattaya and Si Racha. Subsequently, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet estimated their spending generated approximately ฿100 million. Now Phuket is preparing for an even larger contingent.

Phuket prepares for 5,120 US personnel as George H.W. Bush arrives after Middle East operations now

Phuket officials confirmed the George H.W. Bush visit on Tuesday. About 4,800 personnel serve aboard the carrier, while another 320 are aboard Delbert D. Black. As a result, thousands are expected to receive shore leave during the six-day stop. That will deliver a concentrated influx into Phuket’s tourism industry within less than one week.

Preparations are already underway between Thai officials and US representatives. On Tuesday, Patong Police met US Embassy Assistant Defence Attachés Lou Pham and Robert Robinson. Separately, the US Force Protection Detachment has been coordinating with Phuket Tourist Police. US Embassy personnel are also involved. As part of this, Thai and American officials established a dedicated LINE group for operational coordination.

The timing gives this port call considerable significance beyond its potential economic impact. As recently as September 28, USS George H.W. Bush remained in the Arabian Sea. There, it was operating alongside USS George Washington. Both carriers formed part of continuing American military operations connected with Iran. Thus, the Phuket visit follows almost directly from Bush’s Middle East deployment.

George H.W. Bush left Norfolk on March 31 for its current deployment. However, it did not take the conventional Mediterranean and Suez Canal route. Instead, the carrier sailed around southern Africa before entering the Indian Ocean. It then passed through the Mozambique Channel. By April, the carrier had entered the US Central Command theatre.

US carrier force rotates in Middle East as Theodore Roosevelt heads to relieve George Washington

At one stage, Washington committed three aircraft carriers to the Middle East. They were USS George H.W. Bush, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford. Since then, the carrier force has changed as ships rotated through the region. By late September, Bush remained there with Carrier Air Wing 7.

Its combat aircraft include F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The air wing also operates airborne early-warning aircraft and helicopters. In parallel, accompanying warships provide additional protection and strike-group capabilities. Bush and its aircraft have therefore spent months operating inside a heavily militarised region.

The United States has maintained two carrier strike groups in the Middle East during the Iran conflict. As of September 28, those carriers were George Washington and George H.W. Bush. Yet another American carrier is already heading towards the region. USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on September 27 for an expected extended Middle East deployment.

Crucially, Theodore Roosevelt is expected to relieve USS George Washington. It has not been announced as a direct replacement for George H.W. Bush. George Washington itself was diverted from Japan into the Arabian Sea during August. Its deployment helped allow USS Abraham Lincoln to leave after an exceptionally long Middle East assignment.

Bush heads for Phuket as Iran blockade remains active and US carrier replacement remains unclear

Lincoln then headed east and stopped in Thailand before continuing across the Pacific towards California. Meanwhile, Theodore Roosevelt is crossing the Pacific towards its own Middle East deployment. No announcement cited so far identifies another carrier specifically replacing George H.W. Bush. Accordingly, the exact American carrier configuration following Bush’s departure remains unresolved.

George Washington could remain until Theodore Roosevelt arrives, allowing the two carriers to overlap. Alternatively, the regional carrier presence could later fall from two strike groups to one. No confirmed timetable in the supplied material settles that question. For now, George Washington and George H.W. Bush remain the two carriers operating in the region.

Bush’s movement towards Phuket also does not mark the end of the confrontation surrounding Iran. The American naval blockade remains in operation. Washington reinstated the blockade during July following the conflict with Iran. Under its terms, neutral commercial shipping can continue through the Strait of Hormuz towards non-Iranian destinations.

However, US forces can stop and search vessels suspected of carrying contraband. Ships suspected of attempting to breach the blockade can also be intercepted. By late September, American forces had redirected 122 commercial vessels during the operation. On another front, US warships continued blockade duties in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waters.

Lincoln crew praised Thai welcome as Pattaya visit delivered an estimated ฿100 million spending boost

The risks also remain substantial. On September 14, eight US Marines reportedly suffered injuries following an Iranian cruise-missile strike. The attack targeted a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, diplomatic efforts surrounding the blockade have continued alongside military operations.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly urged Washington against ending the blockade without an agreement. Iran has proposed conditions for fully reopening the Strait. Washington, however, has not accepted those conditions. Consequently, Bush is leaving a theatre where the American naval operation remains active.

Against that backdrop, thousands of its personnel will encounter sharply different conditions in Phuket. Many will arrive after approximately six months of deployment. Moreover, they are coming after extensive operations in and around the Middle East. The circumstances closely resemble the USS Abraham Lincoln visit earlier this month.

Lincoln also reached Thailand after months of operations connected with Iran. Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines subsequently went ashore around Pattaya and Si Racha. The carrier remained in Thailand from September 2-6. Before that visit, its personnel had endured an exceptionally long deployment.

Phuket eyes carrier windfall as visitor numbers, hotel occupancy and tourism revenue weaken in 2026

The US Navy subsequently described Thailand as a highlight of the strike group’s deployment. Lincoln commanding officer Captain Dan Keeler said the visit allowed personnel to recharge. He also praised the hospitality received in Thailand. Meanwhile, the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation programme worked directly with Thai businesses.

The programme organised tours and activities for visiting personnel. In turn, thousands of Americans spread through Pattaya, Si Racha and surrounding tourism areas. Yet the most immediate effect for Pattaya was financial. Mayor Poramet estimated that approximately 4,800 American personnel generated around ฿100 million during five days.

That was equivalent to roughly US$3 million. On that estimate, local spending reached approximately ฿20 million for every day of the visit. It also represented roughly ฿20,800 for each visiting service member. The money quickly spread through Pattaya’s established tourism economy.

Restaurants, shopping centres and retailers benefited from the influx. Likewise, transport companies, entertainment businesses and tourist attractions received additional trade. Organised excursions and other tourism services also benefited. In effect, the carrier delivered thousands of visitors into the area almost simultaneously.

Phuket hotel and airport figures weaken as second US carrier visit follows Pattaya’s successful stop

The Lincoln visit therefore provides Phuket with an unusually recent comparison. George H.W. Bush and Delbert D. Black will bring approximately 5,120 personnel. Their scheduled stay also lasts six days rather than five. On Pattaya’s estimated spending level, the Phuket injection could theoretically exceed ฿100 million.

However, Phuket officials have announced no comparable spending forecast. The Pattaya estimate therefore provides a benchmark, not a guaranteed outcome. Even so, the scale of the arriving contingent is clear. More than 5,000 personnel will enter a tourism market which has softened during 2026.

Between January and July, Phuket recorded 8.096 million visitors. That represented a 1.53% decline from the same period last year. At the same time, average hotel occupancy fell 1.74% to 75.56%. Tourism revenue also slipped despite the relatively modest decline in overall visitor numbers.

Phuket generated ฿310.96 billion from tourism during the seven-month period. Nevertheless, that was 0.72% lower year-on-year. More sharply, weakness has appeared at the expensive end of Phuket’s hotel market. Luxury and upscale hotels recorded a 2.72% decline in guests during the first half.

Phuket prepares for shore leave as Andaman location offers direct access from Middle East operations

Occupancy in that segment fell from 84.1% to 80%. Average room rates dropped another 4%. More significantly, revenue per available room fell 8.7%. Those figures show pressure across visitor numbers, occupancy, room rates and hotel revenue.

Airport figures point in the same direction. Phuket International Airport passenger arrivals declined 1.4% during the first half. They fell from 4.46 million to 4.39 million. Against this softer backdrop, the American carrier visit comes immediately before Thailand’s critical tourism high season.

The timing also follows Pattaya’s demonstrated experience with concentrated US Navy spending. Almost 4,800 personnel arrived there within days and stayed for five nights. Their estimated ฿100 million expenditure immediately fed into local tourism businesses. Phuket will receive a slightly larger contingent for a longer scheduled visit.

Beyond tourism, the two port calls also stand out because of their timing and geography. Two separate American carrier strike groups will have made substantial Thai visits within barely five weeks. Both calls followed lengthy Middle East deployments. Yet they involve opposite sides of Thailand.

First came USS Abraham Lincoln on the eastern seaboard. Now George H.W. Bush is scheduled to arrive on the Andaman coast. Lincoln’s visit was officially centred on rest, recreation and partnership engagement. It was not presented as a military exercise.

Phuket looks to Pattaya’s ฿100 million boost as US carrier arrives amid softer island tourism figures

Similarly, preparations for Phuket centre on shore leave, security and coordination. The locations, however, are markedly different. Pattaya and Laem Chabang sit on Thailand’s eastern seaboard. They are accessed through the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea.

Phuket sits directly on the Andaman Sea. Beyond it lies the Indian Ocean and the maritime route towards the Middle East. Accordingly, a carrier travelling east from the Arabian Sea can reach Phuket before entering the Strait of Malacca. That geography makes the island a practical stop after Middle East operations.

Phuket also provides a large, established tourism economy capable of absorbing thousands of visiting personnel. Hotels, restaurants, transport operators and entertainment businesses already serve millions of international visitors. For that reason, the sudden arrival can be accommodated within an existing tourism infrastructure.

Operational preparations are already reflecting the scale involved. Police and American representatives have started coordination before the October 5 arrival. Security arrangements are being prepared. Meanwhile, officials expect thousands of sailors to move through Patong and other tourism areas during the six-day visit.

George H.W. Bush heads to Phuket as Iran blockade continues and carrier strength remains unsettled

The island can look directly towards Pattaya for the most recent measure of potential spending. Only weeks ago, nearly 5,000 Lincoln personnel arrived following another Middle East deployment. Within five days, their spending was estimated at ฿100 million. Phuket will now receive about 320 more personnel and one additional scheduled day.

The economic backdrop is also markedly different from a routine high-season port visit. Phuket’s overall visitor numbers have fallen. Hotel occupancy has weakened. Tourism revenue is lower. In addition, upscale hotel performance has deteriorated more sharply than the overall market.

At the same time, the military backdrop remains active thousands of kilometres to the west. The blockade connected with Iran continues. American warships remain deployed. Theodore Roosevelt is heading towards the region as part of the continuing carrier rotation.

George Washington also remains part of the existing Middle East carrier force. However, Theodore Roosevelt is expected to relieve George Washington rather than George H.W. Bush. No direct replacement for Bush has been identified in the supplied material. The eventual carrier strength in the region therefore remains unsettled.

For George H.W. Bush, the immediate movement is towards Thailand. Its October 5 arrival will bring thousands of American personnel directly from a major Middle East deployment. Six days of shore leave will then place them inside one of Thailand’s largest tourism centres.

Pattaya has already demonstrated the scale of spending such a visit can generate. Its mayor estimated Lincoln’s five-day call generated approximately ฿100 million. Now Phuket is preparing for a larger contingent and a longer stay.

This time, the visit comes as Phuket enters high season with softer tourism indicators. Meanwhile, the carrier arrives from an active military theatre rather than a routine Pacific deployment. The Iran blockade remains in force, while another US carrier heads towards the region.

Against that backdrop, George H.W. Bush will move from the Arabian Sea towards Phuket. Around 5,120 American personnel are expected with the two ships. For Phuket, their arrival brings six days of concentrated shore leave just as its tourism industry seeks stronger high-season traffic.

USS Abraham Lincoln departs Thailand after a special visit. Captain gave thanks for the very warm welcome

US Navy’s Pattaya visit is plain sailing with strong spending breeze. Chonburi governor hails it a success

Ring of steel protects USS Abraham Lincoln as huge security operation police US sailors on shore leave

Cash is the name of game as the US Navy returns to its old Pattaya stomping ground in a 4 day city boost

The boys are back in town. US servicemen return to Pattaya, a town they helped create, for wartime R&R

Pattaya police operation targets street sex workers ahead of expected arrival of US sailors on Wednesday

US Navy Aircraft carrier group to descend on Pattaya after taking part in ‘Epic Fury’ and blockading Iran

PM Anutin denies a plan for an American drone base to be set up in Thailand despite military’s US visit

Visit by US Under Secretary of State emphasises American Thai military alliance amid tense trade talks

Bangkok firm rules out using its US military alliance as leverage in tense trade talks with Washington

Suphajee led high powered Thai team to Washington DC seeking to close a US trade deal and partnership

Setback for government as 40 baht meal deal pulled from cabinet amid a barrage of hostile feedback to the scheme

Stark and disturbing data shows Thai households are losing out in an economy that is driving inequality

Business lobby urges Anutin to improve climate for inward investment by axing old laws and red tape

James Morris is a pename for an international writer based in Bangkok who works on various international news media. He is a sub editor with the Thai Examiner news website since it began in 2015. Son Nguyen is an international writer and news commentator specialising in Thai news and current affairs. He commenced working with the Thai Examiner News Desk in May 2018.

All posts by James Morris and Son Nguyen

PM directs flash flooding crisis which has hit Bangkok making all 50 districts disaster zones from London September 26, 2026 Bangkok battles severe flooding after almost 300mm of

Prime Minister Anutin’s US visit this week yielded a closer ties pact between Bangkok and Wall Street September 26, 2026 Wall Street opens its doors to closer Thai links as

Horror in Phuket as policeman’s Glock gun misfires in slider action fatally wounding his 49 year old mother September 25, 2026 Phuket policeman faces a fatal shooting probe after

Bombshell Supreme Court ruling links Bhumjaithai Party figure with orchestrated Senate poll collusion September 25, 2026 Supreme Court exposes corrupt conduct in the 2024

Prime Minister and his team grilled by Wall Street on Thailand’s geopolitical stance and growth plans September 25, 2026 Hard-boiled Wall Street investors put PM Anutin and

Four sentenced to life for deadly 2022 insurgency bombing in Pattani. Death sentences commuted to life September 24, 2026 Death sentences for four men are reduced to life

Bhumjaithai political overlord in Prachin Buri to spend life in prison after death sentence is commuted by court September 24, 2026 Ex-minister Sunthorn Wilawan, 87, gets life after his

Prime Minister Anutin readies defences as Thamanat Prompow’s Kla Tham Party positions for government September 24, 2026 Capt Thamanat Prompow’s 58-MP Kla Tham moves towards

Canadian arrested for rape of a UK tourist in Chiang Mai just hours before he was due to leave Thailand September 24, 2026 Police swoop on Canadian Aldo Ochoa Saenz, 38, at his

Oil fund bleeds nearly 5 billion baht a week as the government struggles to cope with Middle East crisis September 23, 2026 Thailand’s Oil Fuel Fund bleeds ฿700 million daily

Interior Ministry probes Israeli network of Chabad in Thailand with reports of southern land purchases September 23, 2026 Polpeera widens Thailand’s Israeli-linked land probe

Concerns for the plight of the King’s third son whose health is reported to have declined in Malaysia September 22, 2026 Dr Chakriwat, King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s third son,

Local government examination scandal moves closer to a crunch. Rangsiman Rome calls on PM for answers September 22, 2026 Pressure mounts on Anutin over the ฿4.5bn local exam

Light at end of the tunnel for Thai flight attendant Meena arrested in Melbourne for drug trafficking offences September 22, 2026 Meena Kondo’s Australian drug case takes a hopeful

Anutin heads to New York but no sign yet of news on the US Thai trade deal as problems simmer at home September 21, 2026 Washington adds a fresh condition to Thailand’s US

Vietnam is taking Thailand’s quality tourists in huge numbers while Bangkok flails about with crackdowns September 21, 2026 Vietnam’s tourism boom is closing the gap on

Serving police officer investigated over commotion and shots fired on Saturday morning at Pattaya condo September 21, 2026 Gunfire tears through a South Pattaya apartment as a

Warning in Thailand over fake cough syrup bottles. Police smash counterfeit medicine empire in 4 raids September 26, 2026

Spanish chef (32) who murdered and dismembered a Colombian surgeon on Koh Phangan loses appeal September 26, 2026

Dizziness, headaches in a Pattaya locale after a cannabis farm fire at a residence on Friday morning guts the property September 25, 2026

33 year old sets fire to Honda Scooby in Udon Thani after mother refused to buy him a more powerful ride September 25, 2026

Ministers accused of neglecting Thai farmers. Crucial aid support has not yet reached the cabinet table September 25, 2026

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally summoned by parliament over local government exam scandal September 24, 2026

Former Justice Minister hails major bankruptcy bill which could help reduce the household debt burden September 24, 2026

Nene Royal wins big for Thailand with blistering ‘Seven Nation Army’ final act. Nets $1 million prize September 24, 2026

Chinese men arrested on rape and extortion charges after Pattaya raid. Woman locked up and chained September 23, 2026

Digital Minister (36) and heir to powerful Chidchob dynasty has a fortune of hundreds of millions September 23, 2026

Latest cannabis bill agreed by cabinet on Tuesday to rein in the out of control weed industry in Thailand September 23, 2026

Legal heavyweights plan seminar to review Election Commission’s move to let top politicians off the hook September 22, 2026

Culture Minister’s press briefing rebuffs use of 120 year old photo of Thai women by Cambodian Ms Universe pageant September 22, 2026

Family of murdered 35 year old Thai woman in Taiwan seek return of her ashes and financial compensation September 22, 2026

Thai women ‘Freya Ice Queen’ sex trafficking ring smashed by London’s Metropolitan police after tip off September 21, 2026

Spider Man ‘peace’ protest and arrest the latest news from the ongoing Koh Samui animal park controversy September 21, 2026

Assistant Headman dies in Yala attack on night of mayhem in the southern province into Sunday September 20, 2026

Phuket drug checkpoint scandal. Defence Corps unit set up to target the menace is accused of extortion September 20, 2026

Thaksin era minister reflects on Thailand’s 2006 coup d’état. Calls for a democracy dedicated to people September 20, 2026

45 year old Australian Simon Peter Carman is refused bail as he pleaded not guilty to murder in Pattaya September 19, 2026

Time for government to tighten its belt as debt ceiling looms and public debt surges from the pre Covid era September 18, 2026

Thailand prepares to impose a 30% tax on EVs built outside the kingdom in a move to boost its auto base September 18, 2026

© 2026 Thai Examiner. All rights reserved.

2026年9月29日晚上8:35

作者：詹姆斯·莫里斯和孙阮

经济、生活、媒体、政治、泰国

一艘美国核动力航空母舰正从中东的行动区域驶向普吉岛，舰上载有5000多名人员，预计将为当地带来一笔可观的旅游收入。“乔治·H·W·布什”号航空母舰在阿拉伯海航行数月后，于10月5日抵达普吉岛，而此时华盛顿对伊朗的封锁仍在继续。就在一个月前，“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰刚刚抵达芭堤雅，为当地带来了约1亿泰铢的消费。如今，普吉岛也迎来了“美国大军”，在旅游旺季即将到来之际，大量美国人员的到来让普吉岛的游客数量、酒店入住率和旅游收入都处于低迷状态。

在林肯号航空母舰斥资1亿泰铢增援芭堤雅之后，乔治·H·W·布什号航空母舰于10月5日载着5000多名美军人员结束了中东地区的军事行动抵达普吉岛。（来源：《普吉岛新闻》）

在执行了数月与伊朗冲突相关的任务后，“乔治·H·W·布什”号航空母舰正驶往普吉岛。预计将有超过5000名美军人员于10月5日至10日进行为期六天的访问。

这艘核动力航空母舰将与导弹驱逐舰“德尔伯特·D·布莱克”号一同抵达。两艘军舰共搭载约5120名人员。值得注意的是，它们的到来正值普吉岛旅游市场在关键旅游旺季到来前夕疲软之际。

此次访问紧随一个月前另一艘美国大型航母对泰国的访问之后。9月2日至6日，在结束了其在中东的长期部署后，美国“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航母访问了泰国。约4800名美国水兵和海军陆战队员在芭堤雅和是拉差附近登陆。随后，芭堤雅市长波拉梅·恩甘皮切特估计，他们的消费为泰国带来了约1亿泰铢的收入。现在，普吉岛正在为迎接规模更大的美军部队做准备。

普吉岛正准备迎接5120名美军人员，老布什结束中东行动后将抵达该岛。

普吉岛官员周二证实了老布什总统的到访。这艘航母上约有4800名工作人员，另有320名工作人员在“德尔伯特·D·布莱克”号航母上。因此，预计在为期六天的停留期间，将有数千人获得岸上休假。这将在不到一周的时间内为普吉岛的旅游业带来大量游客。

泰国官员和美国代表已开始进行相关准备工作。周二，芭东警方会见了美国大使馆助理国防武官卢·范和罗伯特·罗宾逊。与此同时，美国部队保护分遣队一直在与普吉岛旅游警察协调行动。美国大使馆人员也参与其中。为此，泰美官员还专门成立了一个LINE群组，用于行动协调。

此次访问的时机赋予了它远超潜在经济影响的重大意义。就在9月28日，乔治·H·W·布什号航空母舰还在阿拉伯海执行任务，与乔治·华盛顿号航空母舰并肩作战。这两艘航母都参与了美国针对伊朗的持续军事行动。因此，布什号此次访问普吉岛几乎紧随其后的是其在中东的部署。

“乔治·H·W·布什”号航母于3月31日离开诺福克港，开始其当前的部署。然而，它并没有走传统的经地中海和苏伊士运河的航线，而是绕过南部非洲进入印度洋，随后穿过莫桑比克海峡。到4月份，该航母已进入美国中央司令部辖区。

美国航母编队在中东轮换部署，西奥多·罗斯福号前往接替乔治·华盛顿号。

华盛顿曾一度向中东地区部署了三艘航空母舰，分别是“乔治·H·W·布什”号、“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号和“杰拉尔德·R·福特”号。此后，随着舰艇在该地区轮换部署，航母部队也随之有所变化。到9月下旬，“布什”号航母及其搭载的第7舰载航空联队仍驻扎在该地区。

其作战飞机包括F/A-18E/F“超级大黄蜂”战斗机和EA-18G“咆哮者”电子战飞机。该航空联队还装备有空中预警机和直升机。与此同时，随行军舰提供额外的保护和打击群能力。因此，布什及其飞机已在高度军事化的地区执行了数月的作战任务。

在伊朗冲突期间，美国在中东地区维持了两个航母打击群。截至9月28日，这两个航母分别是“乔治·华盛顿”号和“乔治·H·W·布什”号。而另一艘美国航母也已启程前往该地区。“西奥多·罗斯福”号于9月27日离开圣地亚哥，预计将在中东地区进行长期部署。

至关重要的是，预计“西奥多·罗斯福”号将接替“乔治·华盛顿”号航空母舰。目前尚未宣布它直接接替“乔治·H·W·布什”号。“乔治·华盛顿”号本身在8月份从日本调往阿拉伯海。它的部署使得“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰得以结束其在中东地区异常漫长的任务。

布什前往普吉岛，伊朗封锁仍在继续，美国航母的替代者仍不明朗。

林肯号随后向东航行，在泰国停留后继续横渡太平洋前往加利福尼亚。与此同时，西奥多·罗斯福号正在横渡太平洋，前往其在中东的部署地点。目前尚未有任何公告明确指出将有另一艘航母取代乔治·H·W·布什号。因此，布什号离港后美国航母的确切部署方案仍未确定。

“乔治·华盛顿”号航母可能会一直待到“西奥多·罗斯福”号抵达，这样两艘航母的部署时间就可以重叠。另一种可能是，该地区的航母部署规模之后会从两个打击群缩减到一个。现有资料中没有确定的时间表来解答这个问题。目前，“乔治·华盛顿”号和“乔治·H·W·布什”号仍然是该地区仅有的两艘航母。

布什向普吉岛进军并不意味着围绕伊朗的对抗已经结束。美国的海上封锁仍在继续。华盛顿在7月与伊朗发生冲突后重新实施了封锁。根据封锁条款，中立的商船可以继续通过霍尔木兹海峡前往非伊朗目的地。

然而，美军可以拦截并搜查涉嫌运载违禁品的船只。涉嫌试图突破封锁的船只也可能被拦截。截至9月下旬，美军在行动中已迫使122艘商船改道。另一方面，美国军舰继续在阿拉伯海及其周边水域执行封锁任务。

林肯号机组人员对泰国的热情款待表示赞赏，此次芭堤雅之行预计将带来1亿泰铢的消费增长。

风险依然巨大。据报道，9月14日，伊朗巡航导弹袭击导致8名美国海军陆战队员受伤。袭击目标是霍尔木兹海峡的一艘船只。与此同时，围绕封锁的外交努力与军事行动仍在继续。

据报道，沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国敦促华盛顿在未达成协议的情况下不要结束封锁。伊朗提出了全面重新开放霍尔木兹海峡的条件，但华盛顿并未接受这些条件。因此，布什即将离开的地区，美国海军的行动仍在进行。

在此背景下，数千名官兵将在普吉岛面临截然不同的处境。许多人将在部署约六个月后抵达。此外，他们此前还在中东及其周边地区执行过大量任务。这种情况与本月初“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰的访问极为相似。

在与伊朗相关的数月行动后，“林肯”号航母抵达泰国。随后，近5000名水兵和海军陆战队员在芭堤雅和是拉差附近登陆。该航母于9月2日至6日停留在泰国。在此之前，其人员经历了异常漫长的部署。

普吉岛寄希望于航空公司在2026年带来意外之财，因为预计到2026年，游客数量、酒店入住率和旅游收入将有所下降。

美国海军随后将泰国之行描述为打击群部署期间的一大亮点。“林肯”号舰长丹·基勒上校表示，此次访问让官兵们得以休整。他还赞扬了泰国人民的热情好客。与此同时，海军的士气、福利和娱乐项目也与泰国企业开展了直接合作。

该项目为来访人员组织了旅游和活动。随后，数千名美国人涌入芭堤雅、是拉差及周边旅游区。然而，对芭堤雅而言，最直接的影响体现在经济方面。市长波拉玛估计，约4800名美国人员在五天内创造了约1亿泰铢的收入。

这相当于约300万美元。据此估算，当地居民在访问期间每天的消费约为2000万泰铢，相当于每位来访军人每天约20800泰铢。这笔资金迅速流入芭堤雅成熟的旅游经济体系。

餐厅、购物中心和零售商都从这波客流中受益。同样，运输公司、娱乐场所和旅游景点也获得了额外的客流量。旅行团和其他旅游服务也从中获益。实际上，这艘运输船几乎同时将成千上万的游客运送到了该地区。

继芭堤雅成功停靠后，第二家美国航空公司到访普吉岛，导致普吉岛酒店和机场的客流量下降。

因此，林肯的访问为普吉岛提供了一个难得的近期对比。老布什总统和德尔伯特·D·布莱克将率领约5120名随行人员。他们计划的停留时间也为六天，而非五天。按照芭堤雅的预计消费水平，普吉岛的消费额理论上可能超过1亿泰铢。

然而，普吉岛官方尚未公布类似的支出预测。因此，芭堤雅的估算仅供参考，并非最终结果。即便如此，即将到来的人员规模依然清晰可见。超过5000名工作人员将涌入2026年已趋于疲软的旅游市场。

今年1月至7月，普吉岛接待游客809.6万人次，较去年同期下降1.53%。与此同时，酒店平均入住率下降1.74%至75.56%。尽管游客总数降幅相对较小，但旅游收入也出现下滑。

普吉岛上半年旅游业收入达3109.6亿泰铢，同比下降0.72%。尤其值得注意的是，普吉岛高端酒店市场表现疲软，豪华酒店和高档酒店的入住率在上半年下降了2.72%。

普吉岛准备休整，因为安达曼群岛的地理位置使其能够直接进入中东运营区。

该细分市场的入住率从84.1%下降至80%。平均房价进一步下降了4%。更重要的是，每间可供出租客房的收入下降了8.7%。这些数据表明，游客数量、入住率、房价和酒店收入都面临着压力。

机场数据也指向同一方向。普吉国际机场上半年旅客吞吐量下降1.4%，从446万人次降至439万人次。在此疲软的背景下，这家美国航空公司的到访恰逢泰国旅游旺季来临之前。

此次行动的时机也借鉴了芭堤雅此前接待美国海军集中开支的经验。近4800名人员在几天内抵达芭堤雅，并停留了五晚。他们约1亿泰铢的支出立即惠及了当地旅游业。普吉岛将迎来规模稍大的美军部队，并进行更长时间的访问。

除了旅游之外，这两次港口访问的特别之处还在于其时间和地理位置。短短五周内，两个不同的美国航母打击群将对泰国进行实质性访问。这两次访问都发生在它们完成长期的中东部署之后。然而，它们却分别位于泰国的两端。

首先是“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰抵达美国东海岸。现在，“乔治·H·W·布什”号也计划抵达安达曼群岛海岸。“林肯”号的访问官方宣称是以休整、娱乐和伙伴关系交流为中心，并未被宣传为军事演习。

普吉岛寄希望于芭堤雅带来的1亿泰铢客运收入，因为一家美国航空公司即将抵达，而此时岛屿旅游业整体数据疲软。

同样，普吉岛的筹备工作也主要集中在岸上休假、安保和协调方面。然而，两地的地理位置截然不同。芭堤雅和林查班位于泰国东海岸，分别经由泰国湾和南海进入。

普吉岛位于安达曼海沿岸，安达曼海之外是印度洋和通往中东的海上航线。因此，从阿拉伯海向东航行的航母可以在进入马六甲海峡之前抵达普吉岛。这种地理位置使得普吉岛成为中东作战行动后的理想中转站。

普吉岛拥有庞大且成熟的旅游经济体系，足以容纳成千上万的游客。酒店、餐厅、交通运输公司和娱乐场所已为数百万国际游客提供服务。因此，现有的旅游基础设施能够应对游客的突然涌入。

行动准备工作已体现出此次行动的规模之大。警方和美方代表已于10月5日抵达前开始协调，安保措施也正在制定中。与此同时，官员们预计在为期六天的访问期间，将有数千名水兵途经芭东和其他旅游区。

老布什前往普吉岛，伊朗封锁仍在继续，航母实力仍不明朗。

普吉岛可以直接参考芭堤雅的最新消费水平。就在几周前，近5000名林肯行动人员结束了在中东的部署抵达普吉岛。短短五天内，他们的消费额就估计达到了1亿泰铢。普吉岛现在还将接收约320名人员，并且计划增加一天的驻留时间。

经济形势也与往常的旺季港口访问截然不同。普吉岛的游客总数有所下降，酒店入住率降低，旅游收入减少。此外，高档酒店的业绩下滑幅度也远超整体市场水平。

与此同时，数千公里以西的军事局势依然紧张。针对伊朗的封锁仍在继续。美国军舰仍处于部署状态。“西奥多·罗斯福”号航母正作为持续航母轮换部署的一部分驶向该地区。

“乔治·华盛顿”号航母仍是现有中东航母舰队的一部分。然而，预计接替“乔治·华盛顿”号的将是“西奥多·罗斯福”号，而非“乔治·H·W·布什”号。现有资料中尚未明确“布什”号的直接替代者。因此，该地区最终的航母实力仍未确定。

对老布什而言，眼下的首要任务是前往泰国。10月5日，数千名美国军人将直接从中东的主要部署地抵达泰国。随后，他们将享受六天的岸上假期，并置身于泰国最大的旅游中心之一。

芭堤雅已经展现了此类访问所能带来的消费规模。据其市长估计，林肯为期五天的访问为芭堤雅带来了约1亿泰铢的收入。如今，普吉岛正准备迎接规模更大、停留时间更长的林肯代表团。

此次访问正值普吉岛旅游旺季，但旅游指标却较为疲软。与此同时，这艘航母并非例行的太平洋部署，而是从一个活跃的军事区域抵达。伊朗封锁依然有效，而另一艘美国航母也正驶向该地区。

在此背景下，“乔治·H·W·布什”号将从阿拉伯海驶向普吉岛。预计两艘舰艇将搭载约5120名美国人员。对于普吉岛而言，他们的到来意味着当地旅游业正值旺季，需要集中休假六天，而美军人员也将在此休假。

“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰结束对泰国的特别访问后离开。舰长对泰国的热情接待表示感谢。

美国海军在芭堤雅的访问进展顺利，消费强劲。春武里府府尹称赞此次访问取得了成功。

“钢铁之环”严密保护着“亚伯拉罕·林肯”号航空母舰，大规模安全行动确保了美国水兵在岸上休假期间的安全。

现金交易是关键，美国海军重返其位于芭堤雅的老地盘，展开为期四天的城市扩张行动。

士兵们回来了。美国军人回到芭堤雅——这座他们曾参与建设的城市——进行战时休假。

芭堤雅警方在美军预计周三抵达前夕，针对街头性工作者展开行动。

美国海军航母战斗群在参与“史诗狂怒”演习并封锁伊朗后，将进驻芭堤雅。

尽管美国军方访问泰国，但泰国总理阿努廷否认了美国计划在泰国设立无人机基地的说法。

美国副国务卿访问泰国，凸显美泰军事联盟在紧张的贸易谈判中的重要性

曼谷一家公司排除了利用其与美国的军事联盟作为与华盛顿紧张贸易谈判的筹码的可能性。

苏帕吉率领泰国高级代表团前往华盛顿特区，寻求与美国达成贸易协议和伙伴关系。

政府遭遇挫折，40泰铢套餐优惠计划因遭到大量负面反馈而被撤出内阁。

触目惊心且令人不安的数据显示，泰国家庭在加剧不平等的经济环境中处于不利地位。

商业游说团体敦促阿努廷通过废除旧法律和繁文缛节来改善对外来投资的环境。

詹姆斯·莫里斯（James Morris）是一位常驻曼谷的国际作家，笔名，他为多家国际新闻媒体撰稿。自2015年泰国新闻网站Thai Examiner成立以来，他一直是该网站的副编辑。孙阮（Son Nguyen）是一位国际作家和新闻评论员，专长于泰国新闻和时事。他于2018年5月加入Thai Examiner新闻编辑部。

James Morris 和 Son Nguyen 的所有帖子

总理指示应对袭击曼谷的突发性洪水危机，曼谷所有50个区均被列为灾区（2026年9月26日，伦敦报道）。曼谷在近300毫米降雨后正与严重洪灾作斗争。

阿努廷总理本周访美，促成了曼谷与华尔街之间更紧密联系的协议。2026年9月26日，华尔街向泰国敞开大门，寻求更紧密的联系。

2026年9月25日，普吉岛发生一起骇人听闻的事件：一名警察的格洛克手枪在滑套动作中走火，导致其49岁的母亲不幸身亡。事发后，这名普吉岛警察将面临致命枪击案的调查。

最高法院重磅裁决将泰自豪党成员与精心策划的参议院选举舞弊案联系起来 2026年9月25日 最高法院揭露2024年选举中的腐败行为

2026年9月25日，华尔街就泰国的地缘政治立场和增长计划对总理及其团队进行了质询。强硬的华尔街投资者对阿努廷总理及其团队提出了质疑。

四人因2022年北大年府致命叛乱爆炸案被判处终身监禁。2026年9月24日，四人的死刑被改判为终身监禁。

2026年9月24日，巴真府泰自豪党政治领袖桑通·维拉旺（Sunthorn Wilawan）的死刑被法院改判为终身监禁。这位87岁的前部长此前被判处死刑。

2026年9月24日，塔玛纳·普罗姆波领导的克拉塔姆党准备组建政府，总理阿努廷严阵以待。塔玛纳·普罗姆波领导的拥有58名议员的克拉塔姆党正朝着这一目标迈进。

2026年9月24日，一名加拿大男子在清迈被捕，他涉嫌强奸一名英国游客，当时距离他离开泰国仅几个小时。警方突袭了38岁的加拿大男子阿尔多·奥乔亚·萨恩斯（Aldo Ochoa Saenz）的住所。

泰国石油基金每周亏损近50亿泰铢，政府疲于应对中东危机 2026年9月23日 泰国石油基金每日亏损7亿泰铢

泰国内政部对以色列在泰国的哈巴德运动网络展开调查，此前有报道称该网络在泰国南部购买土地（2026年9月23日）。泰国内政部扩大了对与以色列有关联的土地的调查范围。

2026年9月22日，马来西亚国王玛哈·哇集拉隆功的第三子查克里瓦特博士健康状况恶化，引发各方关注。

地方政府考试丑闻逼近关键时刻。Rangsiman Rome呼吁首相给出解释（2026年9月22日）。Anutin因45亿泰铢的地方考试丑闻面临越来越大的压力。

泰国空姐米娜因涉嫌贩毒在墨尔本被捕，隧道尽头出现曙光 2026年9月22日 米娜·近藤的澳大利亚毒品案出现希望

阿努廷前往纽约，但美泰贸易协议仍未传出任何消息，国内问题持续发酵。2026年9月21日，华盛顿为泰国的贸易协议附加了新的条件。

越南正大量吸引泰国的优质游客，而曼谷却在打击非法游客方面举步维艰 2026年9月21日 越南旅游业的蓬勃发展正在缩小与泰国的差距

2026年9月21日星期六上午，芭堤雅一处公寓发生骚乱和枪击事件，一名在职警官因此接受调查。枪声响彻芭堤雅南部一处公寓。

泰国警方发出警告，警惕假冒止咳糖浆。2026年9月26日，警方在四次突击行动中捣毁了一个假药帝国。

2026年9月26日，在帕岸岛谋杀并肢解哥伦比亚外科医生的32岁西班牙厨师上诉被驳回。

2026年9月25日星期五上午，芭堤雅一处民宅发生大麻种植场火灾，房屋被烧毁，当地居民出现头晕、头痛等症状。

2026年9月25日，一名33岁男子因母亲拒绝给他买一辆动力更强的车，在乌隆他尼纵火焚烧了自己的本田史酷比汽车。

部长们被指责忽视泰国农民。关键援助资金尚未提交内阁审议（2026年9月25日）

2026年9月24日，总理阿努廷·查恩维拉库尔因地方政府考试丑闻被议会正式传唤。

前司法部长称赞一项重大破产法案，该法案有望减轻家庭债务负担 2026年9月24日

妮妮·罗亚尔凭借精彩绝伦的《七国军队》压轴表演为泰国赢得大奖，斩获100万美元奖金（2026年9月24日）。

芭堤雅突袭行动后，几名中国男子因涉嫌强奸和敲诈勒索被捕。一名女子于2026年9月23日被关押并戴上镣铐。

数字部长（36岁）兼强大的奇德乔布王朝继承人拥有数亿美元的财富 2026年9月23日

泰国内阁周二通过最新大麻法案，旨在遏制该国失控的大麻产业（2026年9月23日）

法律界重量级人物计划举办研讨会，审查选举委员会让高层政客免于追究责任的举措（2026年9月22日）

文化部长在新闻发布会上驳斥柬埔寨环球小姐选美大赛使用120年前泰国女性照片的做法 2026年9月22日

2026年9月22日，一名35岁泰国女子在台湾遇害，其家人要求归还骨灰并索要经济赔偿。

2026年9月21日，伦敦警察厅根据线报捣毁了以泰国女子“冰雪女王弗蕾雅”为名的性交易团伙。

蜘蛛侠“和平”抗议及逮捕事件：苏梅岛动物园争议最新进展（2026年9月21日）

2026年9月20日星期日，南部省份亚拉发生骚乱，一名助理村长在当晚的袭击中丧生。

普吉岛毒品检查站丑闻。为打击毒品威胁而设立的国防军部队被指控敲诈勒索（2026年9月20日）

他信时代部长回顾泰国2006年政变，呼吁建立以人民为中心的民主制度。2026年9月20日

2026年9月19日，45岁的澳大利亚男子西蒙·彼得·卡曼在芭堤雅被控谋杀，但他拒不不认罪，保释申请被拒绝。

随着债务上限临近，公共债务较新冠疫情前水平大幅飙升，政府是时候勒紧裤腰带了。（2026年9月18日）

泰国准备对境外生产的电动汽车征收30%的税，以促进其汽车产业发展（2026年9月18日）

© 2026 Thai Examiner。版权所有。