Pattaya makes final preparations to welcome 5,000 US sailors and Marines

The Pattaya city administration, tourist and local police, as well as representatives from the US military and other agencies, held a meeting yesterday in Pattaya City Hall to make final preparations to ensure safety and convenience for about 5,000 sailors and Marines who are expected to come ashore when the US strike group, comprising the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and two escort ships, docks at Laem Chabang Port from tomorrow until Sunday.

Most of the naval visitors are expected to spend their time resting and recuperating in Pattaya. As such, the meeting has specified some places and activities which will be off-limits to the matelots, such as cannabis outlets, drug stores, Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 off the beach road and some water sports.

A city official said that the sailors and Marines can freely visit the city’s famous walking street, but they are advised not to linger in the beer bars or other night-life venues past 2am.

All tourism-related businesses have been instructed not to provide commercial sex services, especially child sex services, to the sailors and not to take advantage of or overcharge them for any services rendered.

City officials have also sought cooperation from the residents by reporting any suspicious and illegal activities, as well as incidents involving the visitors, by calling the 1155 hotline or using the Thailand Tourist Police application.

The strike group has recently spent more than 270 days in the Middle East during the US-Israeli war against Iran.