Pattaya pins hopes on arrival of 5,000 US sailors to boost tourism
After more than 250 days at sea fighting the war on Iran – and amid reports of dire conditions on board – the USS Abraham Lincoln is finally set to dock near Pattaya this week, giving more than 5,000 American sailors and Marines shore leave as the Thai resort city hopes they will spend big during their last pit stop before home.
Pattaya, a popular eastern Thai beach resort, hopes to attract more tourists with the arrival of more than 5,000 American sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln. The carrier, the world's largest military boat, has been at sea for over 250 days due to the Iran war, and its unexpected redirection to the Middle East prompted the extension of its deployment.
The Lincoln is scheduled to dock at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province, near Pattaya, on Wednesday, providing the crew with up to four days of rest and recuperation before continuing their journey across the Pacific.
The presence of the large number of service members in Pattaya has sparked a frenzy on social media, with Thai influencers and celebrities joking about the potential impact on the city's nightlife and sex industry. However, some advocacy groups argue that the focus should be on addressing the challenges faced by sex workers in the area, rather than making light of their situation through jokes.
Bhunanan Patanasin, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, expressed his optimism about the economic benefits the sailors will bring to the local community. Hotels, restaurants, and bars have struggled to meet even a fraction of their usual occupancy and sales rates due to the Iran crisis and rising fuel costs, which have deterred many tourists from visiting the region.
Written by urgent.news from Bangkok Post Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
