Thailand Tightens Prostitution Measures as 5,000 US Sailors Dock in Pattaya After Extended Sea Duty
POLICY WIRE — Pattaya, Thailand — Authorities in Pattaya, Thailand, have intensified efforts to curb prostitution in anticipation of the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a US Navy aircraft carrier...
POLICY WIRE — Pattaya, Thailand — Authorities in Pattaya, Thailand, have intensified efforts to curb prostitution in anticipation of the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a US Navy aircraft carrier carrying 5,000 sailors and Marines. These personnel have been at sea for over 200 days.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to dock on Wednesday in Pattaya, a move expected to invigorate the local economy. In preparation for the ship’s arrival, police have increased patrols in Pattaya’s primary beachfront and nightlife areas. Recent raids resulted in the detention of 40 to 50 individuals suspected of involvement in prostitution.
Upon docking at Laem Chabang, accompanied by two other Navy vessels, the crew will have the opportunity to rest and recover. We are exerting our utmost efforts, though it remains challenging, stated Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo, acknowledging the difficulty in preventing sex workers from soliciting in public areas without the authorities’ knowledge.
Prostitution, though illegal in Thailand, is conspicuously present in major tourism centers, including parts of Bangkok and Pattaya. The prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea, has raised concerns about mental health and deteriorating conditions aboard the ship.
Pattaya, historically a fishing village that evolved into a tourism hub due to US servicemen during the Vietnam War, anticipates a financial uplift from the visit. Each US military member is estimated to spend between 1,000 to 3,000 baht per day, potentially stimulating the local economy, according to Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
However, the influx of sailors also poses risks, including increased sexual exploitation and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, as warned by Pipatpong Fakfare, an associate professor at Bangkok University’s School of Humanities and Tourism Management. The commercial impact on Pattaya will depend on where the personnel choose to spend their time, with some likely to visit Bangkok.
The news of a US Navy warship docking in Pattaya has given us hope, expressed Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, highlighting the slow year the city has experienced.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
