BANGKOK: Pattaya City is preparing to welcome US Navy personnel after reports that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is due to visit Thailand next week following the completion of its mission in the Middle East.
The reports emerged on Thursday (Aug 27).
The USS Abraham Lincoln has about 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard.
Reports indicated that three ships would dock at Laem Chabang Port from Sept 2 to 6.
During this mission, the personnel have gone more than 200 days without a full port visit.
The Royal Thai Navy said the US carrier group would visit Thailand’s eastern seaboard to allow its personnel to rest and recuperate and to receive logistical support.
It added that the visit was not a joint military exercise with Thailand.
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said the city had periodically welcomed US military personnel when warships visited the eastern seaboard area.
Pattaya business operators are pleased to welcome personnel visiting for leisure after completing their mission, he added.
For security, Pattaya City will coordinate with Pattaya City Police Station, municipal officers and other relevant agencies, both on land and at sea, to ensure the safety of tourists and personnel using services in the area.
If the personnel visit Pattaya for leisure and spend money in the city, tourism businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues, transport services and other service providers would benefit.
Average spending is estimated at THB1,000–3,000 per person.
Based on about 5,000 personnel, this would represent an initial THB5–15 million if all of them visited Pattaya and spent within that range.
The figures are only estimates based on the per-person spending cited by the Pattaya mayor and will depend on how many personnel are authorised to go ashore and actually travel into the city. - The Nation/ANN
