Local authorities in Pattaya, a popular resort city in Thailand, have intensified efforts to curb sex work as the USS Abraham Lincoln, a US Navy aircraft carrier, docks in the city. The carrier arrived on Thursday, bringing approximately 5,000 sailors and marines who have been at sea for over 200 days on deployment.

The USS Abraham Lincoln entered port alongside two accompanying Navy vessels, allowing personnel aboard to rest and recuperate after spending more than six months at sea. The visit is expected to provide an economic boost to Pattaya, with estimates from the city’s mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, suggesting that each US service member could spend between 1,000 and 3,000 baht per day (approximately $30 to $91), depending on the length of their stay ashore and whether they spend the night.

Despite the economic potential, local law enforcement has ramped up patrols and conducted raids in the lead-up to the carrier’s arrival, focusing on the city’s main beachfront and nightlife areas. Over the weekend preceding the docking, police detained between 40 and 50 people on suspicion of involvement in prostitution.

Prostitution remains illegal in Thailand; however, it is widely prevalent and openly visible in major tourism centers such as Pattaya and parts of Bangkok. Authorities have periodically launched crackdowns, often timed with high-profile events or increased tourism activity, but enforcement has historically been inconsistent.

The increased police presence and enforcement in Pattaya reflect efforts to manage the social issues surrounding the influx of foreign military visitors while balancing the anticipated economic benefits the visit brings to the local community.