Asia’s Sex Capital Braces For US Navy Sailors Who Spent Over 270 Days At Sea

By Mr. Right

Asia’s sex tourism capital is bracing for the arrival of U.S. Navy sailors who were aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln for over 270 consecutive days.

As the aircraft carrier makes its way back to the U.S. after a long deployment during the Iran War, local officials in the city of Pattaya, Thailand, are ramping up security before they welcome thousands of sailors and Marines. (RELATED: Two Navy Destroyers Went Dead In The Water In Just Three Months)

“About 600 officials will provide security and other necessary assistance,” the provincial governor, Narit Niramaiwong, reportedly said.

Although the city has made efforts to become more family–friendly, Pattaya has developed a reputation for its nightlife and red-light districts. During the ’60s and ‘70s, it was transformed from a quiet fishing village to a major tourist hub, thanks in no small part to American soldiers taking leave from the Vietnam War.

The city has also cracked down on illegal prostitution over the past two decades, but thousands of sex workers still roam the streets. Sex workers also work as bar girls in nightclubs and require customers to pay a bar fine to take them home.

Some local business owners welcome the U.S. sailors, who are expected to arrive Wednesday, because of a recent tourism slump due to the Iran War, The Guardian reported.

One business owner reportedly hung a banner reading, “Welcome all US military personnel. Thank you for your service.” Another bar employee was shocked by the number of sailors and Marines visiting but wasn’t anticipating many visits.

“They said 5,000 people will come here, but how many will reach us?” she said, according to The Guardian.

Before departing the Middle East region, the USS Abraham Lincoln faced scrutiny over its record-long deployment. Reports surfaced of severe mental exhaustion and worsening conditions aboard the carrier. Multiple sailors reportedly tried to jump overboard.