Thai Marine E-2 Adisak Longsak, left, works alongside U.S. Navy SW2 Pedro Rodriguez to smooth the surface of a concrete floor at a school in Rayong Province. Photo by JOC Joseph Krypel, USNR

Thai Marine and U.S. Seabee Engineers Build Additions for a Thai School 
Royal Thai Marine and U.S. Navy Seabee engineers stood side by side for the dedication of two new additions they built for the Ban Tha Lumbid School in Rayong Province. The month-long Engineering Civic Action Project produced a general-purpose building, a lunchroom extension, and multiple sidewalks. The two forces used more than 100 cubic meters of concrete and over 50 cubic meters of mortar. Dignitaries and village residents praised the skills of the more than 25 Thai Marines and 20 U.S. Seabees.

According to U.S. Navy BU1 Daniel Main, one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the friendships that developed not only with his engineering counterparts, but also with the children of the school. “We had the opportunity to teach some English to the children here,” said BU1 Main. “Not only did they learn how to say ‘hello,’ but the kids also learned how to cook and eat one of our MREs [U.S. military field rations called “Meals Ready to Eat”]!”

As a Thai Navy nurse translates, U.S. Navy Capt. Michael McNamara, a dentist, administers anesthetic to a 7-year-old Thai student at Ban Yai Chan School in Rayong Province. Photo by JOC Joseph Krypel, USNR

The Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Fleet, Adm. Vichai Yuwanangoon; the Ban Tha Lumbid Vice Governor, Nuntachai Soonthornpipit; and then U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Darryl N. Johnson joined more than 500 residents, students, and guests at the dedication to thank the Marines and Seabees for their persistence and professionalism in completing the projects ahead of schedule. “The combination of strong Thai Marine leadership, recent experiences in similar construction projects, and old-fashioned hard work set a blistering pace for this Thai-U.S. team,” said Ambassador Johnson. He noted that during the project, the Marines and Seabees modified the original project plans at the request of the school. “Such adaptability and coordination between our forces is an example of the cooperation that nearly 10 years of CARAT exercises has fostered. You have not only helped this community, you have strengthened the bonds of Thai-U.S. friendship and partnership,” added Ambassador Johnson.

Thai-U.S. Medical Care to Thai Communities
Dental and veterinary civic-action projects, which are integral parts of Exercise CARAT 2004, took place at six locations throughout Thailand. At a school in the village of Yai Chan in Rayong Province, RTN and Thai government agencies worked with U.S. Navy and Army dental and veterinary professionals.

“CARAT is about interoperability between the people of our nations, both on the military side and the human welfare side,” said U.S. Navy dentist Capt. Michael McNamara. “Our dental, medical, and veterinary teams provide a much needed grassroots service while working side by side with our Thai counterparts. Our visit to the school in Yai Chan brings dental and veterinary services to a village that doesn’t have easy access to them,” he explained.

A team of one RTN dentist, nine RTN nurses, two U.S. Navy dentists, and four U.S. Navy dental technicians provided tooth extractions, patient education, and preventative dentistry. “This is a wonderful action the U.S. and Thai Navies do for our school,” said Mr. Somkuan, the school’s principal. “If not for the sailors to come here, the students likely would not get the attention they need – most are very poor and it is a very long way to a dentist in the bigger towns.”

On one side of the school, village residents from all over carried as many as six dogs or cats at a time to U.S. Army Veterinarian Capt. Claire Cornelius and her assistant U.S. Army Spec. James Sandler. Capt. Cornelius and Spec. Sandler worked with RTN medical professionals CPO Pathamarut Tunsuwan and PO3 Karjohnyut Bangtamai from Abhakornkiartiwong Hospital, Sattahip Naval Base, to vaccinate and deworm more than 150 dogs and cats. They provided standard vaccinations, such as canine distemper and 3-year rabies shots, as well as mange relief, care education, and general preventive medicine.