Police detained 25 woman during a late-night prostitution crackdown in Pattaya on 29 August, as authorities prepare for the arrival of about 5,000 US military personnel in Chon Buri next week.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is due to dock at Laem Chabang Port from 2 to 6 September. Its personnel are expected to spend time in the area for rest and recuperation, according to Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a Ministry spokesperson.

Patrols intensified in tourist areas

More than 20 officers from Pattaya City Police, Tourist Police, Immigration Police and Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office joined the operation.

They carried out checks along Pattaya Beach and other public areas commonly used by residents and tourists. Officers reported finding 18 Thai nationals, five Lao nationals and two Ugandan nationals among the 25 offenders.

Police said patrols would become more frequent and more intensive, particularly on the beachfront and in tourist zones regarded as vulnerable to illegal activity.

Sailors to receive Thai law briefing

Rear Admiral Surasant said the US personnel would not be taking part in joint military exercises or operations during the port call.

Instead, the visit is limited to rest and recuperation. Sailors and Marines will be briefed on Thai laws and conduct requirements before going ashore.

Thai police and military police will oversee the visit alongside US military police responsible for their own personnel.

Police are also focusing on preventing the exploitation of children and young people. They said particular attention would be given to the street children and beggars who could be vulnerable to exploitation.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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31 August 2026

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25 detained? Better issue the sailors a loyalty card — 10 visits and the 11th is free. 😂

Will the sailors be told that prostitution is illegal in Thailand? And then told to stay away from any woman, after being at sea for almost a year..

The Cocka2 bar Jomtien complex is advertising that they welcome the US seamen.

Do ask, do tell.

Have fun, make some memories and enjoy Thailand it all it has to offer. You've earned it.

They arrested 25 women. Just for show. That's like sticking your finger in the dike.😎 I'm sure every freelancer in Thailand is headed to Pattaya to get in on this major action.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police are also focusing on preventing the exploitation of children and young people. They said particular attention would be given to street children and beggars who could be vulnerable to exploitation.

Well the americans are coming.

Leave these women alone they're just trying to pay the bills.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Rear Admiral Surasant said the US personnel would not be taking part in joint military exercises or operations during the port call.

They won't have the stamina for work after the girls have finished with them

1 hour ago, JohnOFphon said:

Will the sailors be told that prostitution is illegal in Thailand? And then told to stay away from any woman, after being at sea for almost a year..

The crew already knows, and lectured by their boss, and multiple bosses, many times and watched a port brief on cctv that has been showing on one channel 24/7 the last week and continues the entire time in port, and maybe even sign a training sheet acknowledging the rules. Even then, if "prostitution" was legal in a country they visit, it would still be a serious offense for them...I think it's called 'trafficking in persons'.

Good for them we don't have prostitution in Thailand, it is illegal here. Money for sex Vs Money for companionship.

Send the ship and crew straight back home to the USA.

Then retire the crew and sell the ship and contents for scrap.

American servicemen have always behaved well during many previous furlough visits to Thailand going back to the 1960s. Not sure what all the fuss is about. Hoping they have a good time.

30 minutes ago, Hotchilli123 said:

They won't have the stamina for work after the girls have finished with them

They won’t have the stamina after being at sea for 280 days straight or whatever it is either. Last thing they need is going on joint exercises with the the Thai navy or any other navy.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police detained 25 woman during a late-night prostitution crackdown in Pattaya on 29 August, as authorities prepare for the arrival of about 5,000 US military personnel in Chon Buri next week.

So it is ok for Thailand to prostitute itself for letting this warship dock,

but not for actual prostitutes.

15 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

American servicemen have always behaved well during many previous furlough visits to Thailand going back to the 1960s. Not sure what all the fuss is about. Hoping they have a good time.

I agree. I was in Pattaya back in the early nineties when US ships were dropping into Pattaya on the way back from the first gulf war. Don’t recall any problems with them at all.

Will the US servicemen be briefed on all the scams currently operating in Pattaya. The average serviceman won't hand over the money to the scammer on their demand. Can see some very agressive service men dealing out their own form of justice rather than waiting for a bent cop to come along and tell them to pay up.

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

prepare for the arrival of about 5,000 US military personnel

A typical Nimitz-class aircraft carrier security department maintains around 20 to 30 Master-at-Arms out of a total ship's company of roughly 3,000 to 3,200 sailors (Lincoln has 5,000 personnel).

It would behoove Pattaya police to have them integrated into their peacekeeping efforts.

1 hour ago, Hotchilli123 said:

They won't have the stamina for work after the girls have finished with them

Indeed- they will probably need to go back to war to have a rest!

The last time I met USA navy guys in Pattaya in the 80s

I was at a bar the guy next to me a American navy guy was only interested in having a beer showed me photos of his wife and kids and was looking forward to getting home

You would think the 5000 personal coming to Pattaya were all after sex and drink

Wishful thinking in the bars in Pattaya

2 minutes ago, shackleton said:

The last time I met USA navy guys in Pattaya in the 80s

I was at a bar the guy next to me a American navy guy was only interested in having a beer showed me photos of his wife and kids and was looking forward to getting home

I was onboard deployed WESTPAC ships in the 80s. The married guys onboard were out on the streets, arm-in-arm, with their bargirl hookups in Pattaya and Subic Bay. Guys like you are talking about did exist and tended to hang together to ward of temptation, but they were the exception, not the rule.

By the way - Pattaya in the 1980s was a wonderful place. Went back in 2007, spent one night, and left. Never have been back. No interest in going back.

All the show and tell, is for nothing the daily news stories of expats regular tourist will surely out do anything the Navy visit. This is what Thailand official do always making someone else the problem.😂

The amount U.S. being charged to dock, load up on supplies will surely boost their economy! But No they got to turn it around as if it is going to be a problem!🤣

A slap on the wrist and a 100 baht fine. Sure, that will keep them away during the visit, or really any other day. What a joke.

Those sailors deserve a break, and they deserve your respect, whether you're American or not. They've been on that ship for far too long, doing a job they never should have had to do. Let them have their fun.

Been here 30 years, all the US military guys I have bumped into/ known have been some of the nicest people I have ever met, and yes, I know some Real Seals :)

4 hours ago, JohnOFphon said:

Will the sailors be told that prostitution is illegal in Thailand? And then told to stay away from any woman, after being at sea for almost a year..

Unfortunately that is close to the current climate from what I’ve heard. Been out of that occupation for a number of years.

According to rumor control they “could” be charged with human trafficking if partaking with a working girl.

Whether that’s actually enforced is anyone’s guess.

Best to ask one of the sailors if the opportunity arises on the current restrictions.

One girl already told me that many bar girls are temporary leaving Bangkok for a short vacation in Pattaya...

It is utterly reprehensible the way the government and the police are behaving.

And gentlemen of the police, are you satisfied now?

Surely you yourselves have never visited a woman other than your own wife?

Incidentally, isn’t it about time, in 2026, to review that law banning prostitution?

Edited August 31Aug 31 by Peterphuket

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

They said particular attention would be given to the street children and beggars who could be vulnerable to exploitation.

They need to protect the sailors from exploitation by the little bastards I've encountered.

Protect the little ones from their handlers. And not just when the Navy's in port.

3 hours ago, NedR69 said:

The crew already knows, and lectured by their boss, and multiple bosses, many times and watched a port brief on cctv that has been showing on one channel 24/7 the last week and continues the entire time in port, and maybe even sign a training sheet acknowledging the rules. Even then, if "prostitution" was legal in a country they visit, it would still be a serious offense for them...I think it's called 'trafficking in persons'.

Good for them we don't have prostitution in Thailand, it is illegal here. Money for sex Vs Money for companionship.

My nephew is on that carrier and I can assure you that they do not give a sh*t bout any lectures from their superiors....it has been a long deployement...like during the Nam days and they do not care. Game on.