USS Abraham Lincoln, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier which was in the news for a record 250-day deployment without a port stop, has finally docked in Thailand on Wednesday. The carrier left San Diego last November for a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea, but it extended beyond the time period after being diverted to the Gulf.
The first group of US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln began disembarking before proceeding to various locations. Some commanders and personnel are scheduled to travel to Pattaya. Thai officials are working together to facilitate and ensure security throughout the disembarkation of the personnel.
Interestingly, the ship’s calling at a port at Laem Chabang, which
is close to the beach resort of Pattaya, has triggered a lively response in Thailand, especially in its tourism and entertainment sectors.
Pattaya is also known for its sex tourism and has now shot into the limelight after social media buzz about the Lincoln’s visit and jibes about lusty sailors. Thai authorities have swung into action, with a crackdown on sex workers. On August 30th, a crackdown on prostitution was conducted along beaches and in high-risk public areas, resulting in the arrest of over 25 individuals, both Thai and foreign nationals.
The Thai authorities have also demarcated a few places where US servicemen and women will be prohibited from going. One of the areas includes Soi 6, where sex workers openly solicit customers.
Pattaya’s mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, has downplayed the city’s past, saying there had been a recent crackdown on sex workers but denied it was linked to the US arrivals.
U.S. military personnel are strictly prohibited from paying for sexual services anywhere in the world, even in countries or regions where prostitution is legal. This prohibition applies during overseas deployments, port calls, and disembarkations.
However, the arrival of over 5,000 U.S. troops as a stopover is considered a significant short-term "boost" for Pattaya's tourism and service sectors.
Businesses, especially bars, restaurants, and various entertainment venues throughout Pattaya, have already been opened for business early in the morning to prepare for the arrival of the thousands of US troops.
Ngampicheth predicts that US personnel would have an average daily spending of approximately 1,000 to 3,000 baht, or around 30 to 91 US dollars, depending on the duration of their onshore assignments and overnight stays. This is even though disembarking by ferry has been organised into staggered groups to prevent overcrowding.
Local business owners are enthusiastically putting up signs to welcome the US Navy sailors. Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, revealed that the arrival of the US troops is a true source of hope for business owners, after the economy and tourism in the area have been severely depressed this year.
