Pattaya, once Thailand's 'Sin City,' beckons weary sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln

Many US Navy ships dock at nearby deep-water facilities such as Laem Chabang Port and the Sattahip Royal Thai Navy Base, both less than an hour away by road.

Pattaya police ramped up patrols and raids ahead of the USS Abraham Lincoln's arrival, arresting over 50 people as 5,000 sailors hit the resort city.

In today’s edition of The Tea: Priya Sridhar reports from Pattaya; American perception of widespread government corruption reaches an all-time high, and more.

Around 5,000 US sailors and marines arrived in Thailand and headed for a resort town after a Middle East deployment that sparked concerns over conditions on board.

Shore leave in Pattaya, known for its red light district, comes after reports of deterioriating living conditions onboard the vessel during record stint Middle East crisis live – latest updates At Pattaya’s Hard Rock Cafe and hotel, the city’s mayor and police officials, along with women in traditional Thai dress, wa

At Risa’s Massage, Fai cancelled her holiday to be at work this week; suitmaker Tito has laid on a made-in-24-hours special for US Navy visitors and hawker Pui is aiming to sell 15 watches in the five days the USS Abraham Lincoln will be in Pattaya. On Wednesday, the Thai resort city began to welcome over 5,000 sailors

Thailand’s Pattaya is expecting a business boost as 5,000 US sailors arrive aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Pattaya, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of Bangkok, is where many of the 5,000 or so sailors and marines in the Lincoln’s strike group are expected to visit for some rest and recuperation this week after the big ship’s long troubled tour of duty in the Middle East.

The USS Abraham Lincoln docks near Thai beach city of Pattaya after its Middle East deployment  AP News

US Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has steamed into Thailand's Laem Chabang on Wednesday ⁠with roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines who have spent 286 days at sea. They arrive amid reports of mental health concerns and deteriorating conditions on board.The Lincoln was deployed in November last year and was involved

Pattaya, once Thailand’s ‘Sin City,’ beckons weary sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln  Toronto Star

Pattaya, a seaside resort city in Thailand once notorious for sex tourism, is hosting sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln for rest and recuperation

“It should help stimulate Pattaya’s economy in the short term."

Weekend raids had already resulted in around 40 to 50 people being detained on suspicion of prostitution.

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails past Singapore. (AP Photo)The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is set to dock near Thailand’s Pattaya on Wednesday, bringing nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines to the popular tourist city, as local authorities step up police patrols and crack down on prostitution

American sailors will be barred from certain areas and activities and risk prosecution for violating Thai law.

Thai resort readies for USS Abraham Lincoln's 5,000 sailors  Dawn