U.S soldiers in Pranburi building a school and library

[Foodie]

For all you guys who flog the U.S. I was in Tesco Pranburi and there were at least 50 or more American soldiers there. I asked what they were doing in Thailand and was told building a school and library in Pranburi.
Please let me know from the floggers what their country does as good will.

[Big Boy]

Sounds very strange to me. Work permit issues aside, I would have thought the American government could have funded the building of 20 schools and libraries were they to pay Thais to build their own establishments at Thai labour rates; as opposed to sending 50+ servicemen and all of the support that would cost.

[Foodie]

BB, I dont get it either. I think it is a joint venture with the Thai's. I would think there is a need for schools in the U.S., but they probably can't use the army to build them.

[Takiap]

For all you guys who flog the U.S. I was in Tesco Pranburi and there were at least 50 or more American soldiers there. I asked what they were doing in Thailand and was told building a school and library in Pranburi.
Please let me know from the floggers what their country does as good will.

Calm down old boy. Patriotism is fine, but we are only talking about a few troops, a school, and a library. If the truth be known, the US is probably paying for the privilege, or else I would some sort of deal is taking place. If it was purely a goodwill gesture, then why not build schools in countries that have a greater need for them, or even in some parts of Thailand other than Pranburi?


Anyway, it can't be a bad thing I suppose.

[Aussie Mark]

Good move getting the U.S involved ,because every Yank I have met always do things bigger and better than anyone else .So the school and library must be HUGE

[PeteC]

It is nothing new guys, it's been going on for decades since the end of the VN business. It is common place on this side as US Navy ships come and go into the Sattahip area, and is a huge activity when Cobra Gold and other exercises hit and the US military is here in large numbers. There is humanitarian work such as described above going at many schools and orphanages, HIV hospices etc.,by the crews who volunteer for it, and many do rather than spending all their time chasing skirts in Pattaya. No work permits required, "special deal". Pete

[dozer]

^
I agree this has been going on for years, I first came across a group American miltary personal building a school in Petchaburi way back in the early eighties.

edit:

Just spoke with my wife about this and she says that she knows of at least six girls, including two local Hua Hin girls who she went to school with, who met their US military husbands when they were here building schools and the like.

So it looks like it’s a reciprocal arrangement………..

[toeknee]

Aussie Mark

Love the sarcasm....

but in all seriousness it's a great gesture for which ever country is involved

[PeteC]

Aussie Mark

Love the sarcasm....

but in all seriousness it's a great gesture for which ever country is involved

The Aussies are part of it also when here on military visits/port call. It's not often, but I recall reading about one group doing similar as above earlier this year or late last. Pete

[dozer]

My wife was saying one of the Hua Hin girls was over for a holiday a few months back with her family and she met her, the husband and three lovely kids and they all seem very happy.
So there's a good outcome

[Big Boy]

This discussion seems to be a lot different now to when the OP wrote it. The way the OP wrote it, The Americans had sent over 50 people to Pranburi specifically to build a school and library. Quite a large project that would take many months, and a lot of money.

We now seem to be discussing more of a hobby during a bit of R&R.

If this is the case, most high schools in the UK send their pupils (at great cost to their parents) to remote parts of the world to help build schools and other social facilities at the end of their 6th form education. Nothing new, and probably of greater benefit to the pupils than the recipients.

[Pleng]

Well the nature of the original post was pretty confrontational. It did not really seem concerned with the school, it was worded far more as 'look what my country is doing'

[Big Boy]

To the extent that the OP could be turned around to point out the facilities the Thai Government are providing to servicemen from other countries to practice their skills for a few weeks whilst on R&R. This could be considered part of their pre-leaving training allowing them to test things such as their carpentry, brick laying, plumbing, etc skills on civil projects.

[PeteC]

Here's a few slices of what is usually happening. Pete.



http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/000793

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2011/02-february/011.htm



http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=64689

[Foodie]

The point I was making is that the US gets flogged on this forum by many. It was to show that yes there are good things that the US does. I wanted alittle comeback. Again we have the Brits standing up and proclaiming how they do things are so great and the US does not. Thank the heavens for the revolution.