Pattaya police steps up prostitution raids before arrival of over 5,000 US sailors who spent over 270 days at sea
The aircraft carrier is scheduled to dock in Pattaya on Sep. 2. It will continue its journey home on Sep. 6.
Thailand's coastal city of Pattaya has ramped up anti-prostitution operations in the days leading up to the arrival of approximately 5,000 U.S. sailors and marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln and two other naval ships. The sailors have been on a grueling 270-day deployment in the Middle East, where they faced severe issues such as food shortages, plumbing problems and mental health concerns.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, is set to dock in Pattaya on September 2 and depart on September 6. Its journey began in November 2025 for a prolonged mission in the South China Sea, which was later redirected to the Middle East due to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. As the sailors prepare to disembark, authorities in Pattaya are taking measures to ensure their safety and prevent vices.
Around 600 Thai officials will provide security during their transit, while the city's mayor has arranged for 40 buses to ferry the sailors between the military ship and the resort city. To discourage illicit activities, popular nightlife areas like Soi 6 have been closed off to the sailors, and access to cannabis shops and water-based entertainment has been restricted.
Despite these efforts, Pattaya's police chief acknowledged that combating vice crimes remains a significant challenge.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
