PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya’s tourism scene was relatively quiet late Wednesday night, with fewer visitors seen in key areas. Local operators reported weaker sales during the final days of August, prompting hopes that the upcoming visit of a US aircraft carrier group could bring more activity and spending to the city.
A survey of Walking Street in South Pattaya at around 1 a.m. on August 27 found relatively few Thai and foreign tourists using businesses along the popular nightlife strip. Some operators said the slower foot traffic had directly affected daily sales and income. The quieter atmosphere was also reflected in other parts of Pattaya, with businesses across the city continuing to look for stronger visitor numbers during the current low season.
Police and relevant agencies continued providing security and assistance in the area, with the aim of maintaining confidence among visitors at one of Pattaya’s main tourism attractions. Local businesses are now closely watching the scheduled visit of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group, which is due to call at Laem Chabang Port from September 2 to 6. The carrier is expected to arrive with two accompanying vessels and about 5,000 personnel. The visit is intended as a port call for crew members to rest and recuperate following an extended period at sea, rather than a joint military exercise or operation with Thailand.
If personnel are permitted to come ashore and travel to Pattaya during their stay, local operators believe their presence could bring additional activity and spending to restaurants, entertainment venues, transport services and other tourism-related businesses.
Mayor Poramet Ngampichet previously estimated that if personnel spent an average of 1,000–3,000 baht each, the visit could generate an estimated 5–15 million baht in local circulation. However, the estimate remains preliminary. The actual economic impact will depend on how many personnel are permitted to go ashore, how long they remain in the area and their spending patterns. Chawalee, 30, a business operator in South Pattaya, said tourism in Pattaya had been relatively quiet recently, with visitor numbers noticeably lower than during busier periods. She said the decline had directly affected small businesses and their incomes.
News that around 5,000 US personnel could potentially come ashore in Pattaya has given local operators renewed hope that the visit could bring more activity to the city and generate additional income for businesses. Operators will now be watching the September visit closely to see whether the arrival of the US carrier group can bring more visitors to Walking Street and provide a short-term lift to Pattaya’s tourism economy.
