Pattaya gets ready for the sailors — and the police get busy

5,000 sailors arrive — and suddenly Pattaya discovers prostitution is illegal!!

There are few places on Earth where the arrival of 5,000 American sailors after months at sea could produce quite the same reaction.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has sailed into the Pattaya area with two other U.S. Navy vessels, bringing thousands of sailors and Marines to one of Thailand's most famous — and notorious — tourist destinations.

And Pattaya's police have apparently decided that this would be an excellent moment to remind everyone that prostitution is, technically, illegal in Thailand.

“We are doing our best”

Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo said officers were stepping up patrols in beachfront and nightlife areas and had already conducted weekend raids resulting in more than 50 arrests on suspicion of prostitution.

“We are doing our best, but it is difficult,” the police chief admitted.

Difficult?

Pattaya has spent decades building an international reputation for nightlife. Then 5,000 young American servicemen arrive after a lengthy deployment — and suddenly the authorities are expected to make the city's most famous industry disappear.

Good luck with that.

The USS Abraham Lincoln finally gets a break

The San Diego-based carrier has spent months deployed in the Middle East after being diverted there amid the U.S. conflict with Iran.

The deployment lasted for more than 260 days without a port call, with reports raising concerns about morale, health and conditions aboard the ship.

Now the crew has arrived in Pattaya.

And judging by the police preparations, the welcome committee is going to be rather more complicated than a few bands, flags and speeches.

Pattaya sees dollar signs

While police concentrate on what they don't want the sailors doing, Pattaya's business community is concentrating very firmly on what it hopes they will do — spend money.

Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said the American visitors could spend between $30 and $90 a day depending on where they stay and how long they remain in the area.

Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, said the arrival of the Navy vessels had become a source of hope for local businesses.

And you can hardly blame her.

After months of war-zone deployment, 5,000 sailors and Marines arriving in Pattaya represents a fairly substantial economic stimulus package.

The great Pattaya balancing act

So Pattaya now finds itself performing its favourite balancing act.

The city wants the American sailors to come, stay, eat, drink, shop, visit the beaches and spend plenty of dollars.

But apparently not too much fun.

The police have launched their crackdown, the nightlife businesses are rubbing their hands together, and thousands of sailors are stepping ashore.

In other words, Pattaya is preparing for the arrival of the U.S. Navy in exactly the way one might expect.

The sailors have been at sea for months.

Pattaya's police have been waiting for them.

And somewhere in between, the local economy is already counting the cash.

SOURCE FOX News