Raids on Pattaya sex workers as US ship with 5,000 soldiers set to dock

Authorities in the Thai city of Pattaya are in the midst of a city-wide crackdown on sex workers and prostitution networks ahead of the arrival of the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, which has spent a record 250 consecutive days at sea. Around 5,000 US sailors, Marines and pilots will dock near Pattaya from September 2 to 6 after months of supporting operations against Iran in the Middle East.

Prostitution is, at least on paper, illegal in Thailand, with laws prohibiting activities such as public solicitation, operating brothels and profiting off sex work. In practice, though, it is widespread and tolerated, especially in Pattaya, a popular tourist destination which the US' FBI had previously labelled as "one of the world's leading sex tourism destinations."

That being said, according to reports in Thai media outlets, authorities have launched crackdowns on these prostitution networks ahead of the USS Abraham Lincoln's arrival, which has seen up to 50 individuals, including prostitutes, detained across the city.

The crackdown comes even as businesses in Pattaya hope the arrival of 5,000 US service members will revive its sluggish tourism economy, which has been hit since the commencement of the war in the Middle East on February 28.

CRACKDOWN ON SEX WORKERS COMES AHEAD OF USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ARRIVAL

The ongoing crackdown by Pattaya police on sex workers in the city comes ahead of the USS Abraham Lincoln's arrival in the city.

The aircraft carrier, which left San Diego on the US' western coast in November last year, has spent more than 250 days out at sea, supporting US military operations against Iran. During the prolonged deployment, conditions aboard the vessel reportedly deteriorated severely, with crew members alleging shortages of basic supplies, deteriorating facilities, gruelling work hours and even attempted suicides.

The Lincoln is now scheduled to make a port call at Laem Chabang, near Pattaya, offering some much-needed shore leave for its beleaguered crew of 5,000 sailors, Marines and pilots.

Media outlet Thai PBS reported that Pattaya officials, police and US military representatives met at City Hall on August 31 to finalise security arrangements for about 5,000 sailors and Marines arriving on the USS Abraham Lincoln on September 2.

The outlet reported that the visiting service members will be barred from cannabis outlets, drug stores, as well as some water sports. They can visit Walking Street (a red-light district in Pattaya) but have been advised not to remain at beer bars or other nightlife venues after 2 am.

All tourism-related businesses have been instructed not to provide "commercial sex services", particularly "child sex services" to the service members, reported Thai PBS. Authorities also warned businesses not to take advantage of the visitors or overcharge them for services.

DOZENS OF PROSTITUTES HELD ACROSS PATTAYA, POLICE PATROLS STEPPED UP

Pattaya, on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, grew from a small fishing village into a tourist hotspot. Its growth was fuelled in part by US servicemen seeking shore leave during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Now, many in the city hope the arrival of 5,000 US service members will revive its sluggish tourism economy.

"Each US military personnel could spend 1,000 to 3,000 baht ($30–$90 at current exchange rates) per day, depending on how long they stay ashore and whether they stay overnight," Thai news outlet, The Bangkok Post reported Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches as saying.

Similarly, Lisa Hamilton, the president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, was reported by the Thai news outlet, The Nation, as describing the news of the port call as a source of hope for local operators. She said business conditions in 2026 were the weakest she had witnessed during more than 20 years in the city.

But many are also concerned that money from US service members may also flow into the unseemly part of Pattaya's illegal network of prostitutes.

"The risk to health and safety, as the influx of a large number of customers may increase the likelihood of sexual exploitation and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases," Pipatpong Fakfare, an associate professor at Bangkok University's School of Humanities and Tourism Management was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

As such, police in Pattaya are increasingly stepping up patrols along the city's beachfront and nightlife districts, and are cracking down on prostitution networks. The Nation reported on Tuesday that between 40 and 50 individuals had been held in Pattaya on prostitution-related offences.

One police operation on August 29 along Pattaya beach detained at least 25 women for alleged street prostitution, including 18 Thai, five Lao and two Ugandan women, reported the Bangkok Post.

Pattaya Police chief Anek Srathongyoo said enforcement remained difficult because sex workers could "solicit in public areas without the knowledge of the authorities."

"We are doing our best, but it is difficult," Srathongyoo was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

So, the Amerian port call promises a much-needed boost for Pattaya's struggling tourism economy, but it has also put the city's illicit sex trade under renewed scrutiny. Authorities now face the task of welcoming thousands of US personnel while preventing exploitation and enforcing laws that have long been loosely applied.

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