Thai City Prepares for 5,000 US Sailors After 200 Days at Sea

A US Navy aircraft carrier called the USS Abraham Lincoln is docking in Pattaya, a resort city in Thailand, on Wednesday. The ship is carrying about 5,000 sailors and Marines who have been at sea for more than 200 days. The long voyage set a modern record for the most consecutive days spent at sea. Local leaders hope the visit will bring money to the city, but they are also worried about crime.

The Lincoln left its home port of San Diego, California, in November. It was later sent to the Middle East to support military operations in the region. After such a long time away from land, the crew is being given shore leave so they can rest and recover. Two other Navy ships will dock nearby at a port called Laem Chabang.

The long journey has been tough on the crew. Reports from military news outlets say some sailors have struggled with mental health problems. There have also been accounts of low morale and difficult conditions on the ship. Experts say these pressures could add to risks when sailors come ashore.

Pattaya police are working hard to keep the city safe during the visit. Police Chief Anek Srathongyoo said officers are adding extra patrols around the beach and nightlife areas. Over the weekend before the ship's arrival, police raids led to 40 to 50 people being held on suspicion of prostitution. The chief admitted that fully controlling the situation is difficult, since some illegal activity can happen in public without officers noticing.

Prostitution is against the law in Thailand, but it is still openly present in big tourist cities like Pattaya and Bangkok. Pattaya has a long history tied to US military visits — it grew as a tourism spot during the Vietnam War, when American servicemen would visit to relax. Today, the city is known worldwide for a certain type of adult tourism. A decade ago, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation listed it as one of the world's top sex tourism destinations.

Many business owners in Pattaya are excited about the money the sailors could bring. The city's mayor said each military visitor might spend between $30 and $91 per day. Shore leave is usually staggered, meaning sailors go ashore at different times rather than all at once. Mayor Poramase said the visit 'should help stimulate Pattaya's economy in the short term.'

Not everyone will spend money in Pattaya, since some sailors may travel to Bangkok or other nearby areas. Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, said she has lived in the city for over 20 years and has never seen business this slow. For her and many others, the Navy's arrival is a source of hope. However, a Bangkok University professor warned that a large influx of visitors can raise the risk of health problems and exploitation.