Pattaya, once Thailand’s ‘Sin City,’ beckons weary sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln
Summary
Pattaya, a beach city in Thailand known for its past as a center of sex tourism, is now attracting sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln for rest and relaxation. The city has developed more family-friendly attractions, and visits by U.S. military personnel support the local economy and community efforts.Key Facts
- Pattaya is a seaside resort about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, Thailand.
- Around 5,000 sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group are expected to visit Pattaya for shore leave.
- Pattaya has a reputation for sex tourism, but now offers more family-friendly activities.
- Many U.S. Navy ships dock near Pattaya at Laem Chabang Port and the Sattahip Royal Thai Navy Base.
- Shore leave by military personnel helps the local economy and often includes community service like medical aid and volunteering.
- The U.S. Navy Shore Patrol works with Thai police to prevent trouble during shore leave.
- Thai law bans prostitution, and the U.S. military forbids paying for sex under its legal code.
- Pattaya’s connection to the U.S. military dates back to the Vietnam War, when it grew from a quiet village into a busy tourist spot due to nearby military bases.
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