The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and two accompanying ships are set to visit Thailand from September 2 to 6. Thai authorities describe the visit as a crew rest and logistical stop. For Pattaya, the arrival of American servicemen could be a significant economic event. The city's mayor estimates the spending of each visitor at 1,000 to 3,000 baht, which is approximately $31 to $93 at the current exchange rate. If all 5,000 personnel are granted permission to disembark and spend money in the city, the total turnover could reach 5 to 15 million baht, or about $155,000 to $465,000. The main beneficiaries will be restaurants, transportation, hotels, bars, and other entertainment businesses. Particular attention is focused on Pattaya's nightlife economy. Walking Street is currently experiencing a relatively calm period, and local entrepreneurs are counting on a sharp influx of customers. Pattaya has long been known for its developed sex tourism industry; however, sex services are officially prohibited in Thailand. Therefore, any potential increase in earnings in this sector remains part of the city's unofficial economy, rather than an officially stated goal of the visit. Thus, a few days of the American carrier group's presence could bring Pattaya hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional turnover—from restaurants and taxis to nightlife venues.
