Key facts
- The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and two accompanying vessels will dock in Pattaya, Thailand.
- Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines are expected to disembark for shore leave.
- Pattaya authorities are increasing patrols and conducting crackdowns on prostitution.
- Local businesses anticipate a short-term economic stimulus from the sailors' spending.
- Concerns exist regarding increased risk of sexual exploitation and sexually transmitted diseases.
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, along with two accompanying vessels, is scheduled to dock in Thailand's resort city of Pattaya this week. The visit is intended to allow nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines to rest and recuperate after a prolonged deployment of over 200 days in the Middle East, which set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
Ahead of the carrier's arrival, Pattaya police have prepared additional patrols and conducted weekend raids resulting in the detention of 40 to 50 individuals for suspected prostitution. Police Chief Anek Srathongyoo acknowledged the difficulty in controlling solicitation in public areas. Prostitution remains illegal in Thailand but is openly visible in major tourist hubs.
Some local businesses and officials, including Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches and Lisa Hamilton of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, expressed hope for a short-term economic boost, estimating that each U.S. military personnel could spend between 1,000 to 3,000 baht ($30 to $91) per day.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impacts, including an increase in sex tourism and the risk of sexual exploitation, as described by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation a decade ago. Pipatpong Fakfare, an associate professor at Bangkok University, highlighted the risks to health and safety, including the potential spread of sexually transmitted diseases and the exacerbation of mental health issues reported among the carrier's crew. The overall commercial impact will also depend on whether personnel choose to spend their time in Pattaya or travel to Bangkok.