PATTAYA, Thailand — Restaurants and entertainment venues in Pattaya are preparing for an influx of about 5,000 US Navy sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln, with local operators expecting a significant increase in spending during the carrier strike group’s port visit. The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Laem Chabang on Wednesday, September 2, for a five-day port call, bringing thousands of personnel to the eastern seaboard after an extended period at sea. The sailors are scheduled to have shore leave in Pattaya until September 6.
Local businesses have welcomed the visit, particularly during the current tourism low season. Some restaurants expect their daily sales to rise several times above normal levels as sailors spend their shore leave on food, drinks, entertainment and other services.
At Cafe La Plage, a restaurant and entertainment venue by the beach in central Pattaya, employee Wasana Mahachai said the business had made extensive preparations for the visiting US personnel. The restaurant has increased staff readiness and stocked additional food and beverages in anticipation of customers arriving throughout the day. Its two floors also offer views over Pattaya, making the venue an attractive place for visitors looking to relax and enjoy the city.
Wasana said the restaurant normally records daily sales of around 10,000–20,000 baht. During previous visits by US Navy personnel, however, sales have risen to more than 100,000 baht a day.
She said the expected increase was welcome news for the restaurant and its staff, adding that US military visitors in previous years had generally behaved well and caused no problems for the area.
Popular Thai dishes expected to attract the sailors include som tam, tom yum goong, pad Thai and fried rice. However, Wasana said many sailors who have spent long periods aboard the carrier tend to focus on beverages and relaxation when they come ashore.
Pattaya businesses are also under pressure to maintain fair prices during the visit. Cafe La Plage said it would continue selling food and drinks at the prices displayed on its standard menu and would not charge foreign customers higher prices. The preparations come amid wider efforts by Pattaya authorities to ensure the large influx of US personnel is handled smoothly. City and provincial officials, police, tourism authorities and private businesses have coordinated security, visitor arrangements and measures to monitor prices and service standards.
The visit is expected to provide a short-term lift for restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, massage and spa businesses and other service providers. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet has estimated that personnel could spend about US$100–150 per person per day, with the overall visit expected to generate at least 100 million baht in economic activity.
For Pattaya’s business community, the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln represents more than a high-profile military visit. It is also an opportunity for restaurants and tourism operators to capture spending from thousands of visitors during a period when many businesses are looking for stronger customer traffic. With the sailors scheduled to remain on shore leave until September 6, local operators are hoping the visit will translate into several busy days across Pattaya’s tourism and service sectors. (Story, Photo: Khaosod)
