Pattaya mayor estimates US Navy visit generated 100 million baht

Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet reported that a five-day visit by about 4,800 US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln resulted in an estimated 100 million baht (approximately US$3 million) in local spending. The US personnel were in the resort city from September 2–6, 2026. Mayor Poramet emphasized that one of the key benefits of the visit was to showcase a broader side of Pattaya beyond its nightlife, bars, and entertainment venues.

The US personnel visited popular attractions like the Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and Pattaya Floating Market, as well as participating in activities such as elephant rides, shopping, and purchasing souvenirs. While the exact amount of total spending remains unknown, discussions with local business owners and US Embassy officials suggested that each service member spent an average of US$100–150, leading to an estimated 100 million baht flowing through the local economy over the five-day period.

The spending was distributed across various sectors, including restaurants, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and retail businesses, rather than being concentrated solely in Pattaya’s nightlife area. Mayor Poramet noted that the travel habits of the US personnel were distinct from the city’s traditional image of visits by American troops during the GI era.

Approximately 20% of the personnel were women, and many were younger service members who had researched the city beforehand and planned which attractions they wanted to visit, indicating a shift in the pattern of tourism among visiting US military personnel.