USS Abraham Lincoln Reaches Thailand, Why Are Sex Workers Facing Raids In Pattaya?

Washington: America's largest warship USS Abraham Lincoln reached Thailand on Wednesday after more than 200 days at sea. This aircraft carrier is docked at Laem Chabang port. There are about 5,000 American sailors and marines on board. After months of deployment in the Middle East, these soldiers will now be given rest. And comfort means - Pattaya.

The news of the arrival of American soldiers has brightened the faces of hotel and shopkeepers in Pattaya, but on the other hand, the police have also geared up. Raids against sex work and illegal business have been intensified in the city. Last weekend alone, the police picked up 40 to 50 people on suspicion of prostitution. Now police patrolling has been increased on beaches and nightlife areas.

Why has USS Abraham Lincoln been brought to Thailand?

This ship had left from its home port San Diego and remained at sea for more than 200 days continuously. This is a record deployment in itself. For a long time it was on American mission in the Middle East. Now it has been brought to Thailand to relieve fatigue. This is called port visit.

Two more American warships have also arrived with this huge warship. Thai Navy officials said that this is a scheduled visit. The soldiers will get a break of a few days, so that they can get ready for duty again.

Why has the police suddenly become so strict in Pattaya?

As soon as the name of Pattaya comes, two things come to mind - beach and nightlife. Prostitution is a legal crime in Thailand, but it is seen openly in Pattaya and Bangkok. As soon as the news came that 5,000 American soldiers could land in the city, the local police were alerted. Police fear that the arrival of such a large number of foreign soldiers will increase illegal trade. Therefore, the cleaning campaign has already been started. The raids conducted last week on Walking Street and Beach Road are part of this. Police have said that surveillance will be increased in the coming days.

Are the shopkeepers of Pattaya really going to lose money?

Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches himself has said this. According to him, an American soldier spends 1,000 to 3,000 Thai Baht a day. Calculate how much money will come if 5,000 soldiers come.

The soldiers will not be released into the city together. Their leave will be in different shifts. This will keep the crowd in the city under control and local businesses will continue to benefit for many days. Hotel, restaurant, taxi, bar, shopping mall - everyone is hopeful that this time there will be good business.

What is the threat being said about the sex industry?

Here the matter is not just about business. Professor Pipatpong Phakphare of Bangkok University warns that when the number of customers increases suddenly, the risk of exploitation also increases. Pressure on sex workers increases and there is also a fear of spreading sexual infections. Many social organisations have also said that the US Navy and the Thai administration should take care that there is no case of coercion or human trafficking.

What is the old relationship between Pattaya and the US military?

This story is very old. Pattaya, which is such a big tourist city today, was once a small fishing village. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s, American soldiers began coming here for leave. From there the nightlife culture of Pattaya started. American soldiers kept coming and Pattaya grew. Therefore, whenever an American warship comes here, it is seen not just as a port visit but as a return to an old relationship.