Thousands of sailors aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand on Wednesday morning (the 2nd) after a nine-month mission marked by reports of wear and concerns about conditions on board.
The aircraft carrier docked at Laem Chabang port, about 30 kilometers from the resort town of Pattaya, where roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines will spend five days ashore following extended operations in the Middle East.
“Our arrival in Laem Chabang offers a well-deserved opportunity for our sailors and Marines to rest and recharge,” said in a statement Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3. “It also reinforces the enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Thailand.”
For the crew, the layover represents a necessary pause after more than 280 days of mission, a period that drew attention in Washington due to complaints about living conditions aboard. For Pattaya, the visit, in turn, promises a resource infusion at a time of unusually weak off-season.
“They told us themselves that they are arriving with pockets full, since they hardly had a chance to spend money during this period,” Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said in a telephone interview. According to him, the city is used to receiving large groups of visitors, including thousands of cruise ship passengers, but the American sailors stand out for their spending potential.
The mayor estimates visitors may spend between US$2.5 million and US$3.75 million during the five-day stay, assuming everyone disembarks and spends between US$100 and US$150 per day. Restaurants, bars, hotels, massage parlors and transport companies are among the businesses preparing for the surge in demand.
The Chonburi province tourism federation, which includes Pattaya, said in July that the number of visitors had fallen by 20% to 30%, while occupancy rates at some hotels dropped to only 15% to 20%. Even the famous Walking Street, a street lined with bars and neon-lit nightclubs, reported weak activity in late August, according to merchants in the area.
Relief after a long mission
American lawmakers had pressed the Pentagon for explanations after reports from sailors and families about water and food shortages, exhaustion and mental health emergencies during the mission. The US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the reports were “completely distorted”.
“After months of long shifts, even without continuous air operations, the crew wears down,” said Bryan Clark, director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Defense Concepts and Technology. “A port call allows people to leave the ship. Simply changing the environment already represents a huge relief.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to stay in Laem Chabang until September 6. The destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked in Sriracha, also in Chonburi Province. Some service members will be accommodated in Pattaya hotels, while buses will shuttle between the port and the city.
How Pattaya Became the “City of Sin”
Pattaya’s transformation into one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations began during the Vietnam War. American troops stationed in the region started frequenting its beaches for rest and recreation, spurring the development of hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainment options.
Over the years, the city gained international fame for its vibrant nightlife and sex trade, becoming known worldwide as Thailand’s “City of Sin.” While prostitution is illegal in the country, the activity remains highly visible in Pattaya and other tourist hubs.
Days before the aircraft carrier’s arrival, local authorities held security meetings and urged merchants to charge fair prices and to treat visitors well. Police also fined 25 people, including 18 Thai nationals, for offenses such as pedestrian harassment and soliciting for prostitution.
The actions are part of efforts to improve the city’s image, though operations of this kind are common in Pattaya, where authorities regularly crack down on activities linked to the sex trade.
The American service members will also face restrictions during their stay. According to the mayor, they may visit nearby islands, but will be prohibited from using jet skis and from consuming cannabis. In addition, they will be barred from certain areas after sunset, including the Soi 6 area, famous for its bars and nightclubs catering to adult entertainment.
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