CHONBURI: Chonburi Governor Narit Niramaiwong on Friday August 28th, 2026, held a meeting in Pattaya to set security measures and prepare a plan for an expected over 5,000 US Navy personnel ahead of a scheduled rest-and-recreation stop by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying ships.
The meeting was held at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room 401 at Pattaya City Hall. Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampichet, the Chonburi provincial police commander, and representatives of related agencies attended.
Officials were briefed that three ships from a US Navy Carrier Strike Group are scheduled to call into Thailand’s eastern region after completing deployment operations for an extraordinary state of time of over 250 days to support the war in Iran. The visit is intended to allow personnel to rest and recover, and to receive necessary resupply and services, under the long-standing Thailand–US defense cooperation framework.
Authorities stated that the stopover is not a joint military exercise or operation with the Royal Thai Navy and is not linked to the situation in any particular country. All procedures will be carried out under Thai law, regulations, and security measures.
On security, Chonburi will integrate civilian administration, police, Pattaya City, the military and other land and sea agencies. Plans include increased patrols and investigation teams, monitoring of the coastline, tourist areas and entertainment venues, emergency-response arrangements, health and medical services, and coordination with Laem Chabang Port and related agencies to facilitate the visit.
The meeting also stressed protection against overcharging of visitors. Operators were instructed to sell goods and services at fair prices and not to impose excessive charges. Dispute-handling guidelines were set, with an instruction to contact local police immediately if incidents arise, in order to maintain order and Pattaya’s image as an international tourist destination.
On tourism, officials plan to promote Chonburi’s main attractions and cultural and leisure activities that reflect Thai identity, including arts and culture, local food, and sites in Pattaya and the wider province.
Authorities expect the visit to stimulate the local economy, including hotels, restaurants, transport, entertainment and service businesses. Spending circulating in the local economy is estimated at about 5–15 million baht. The stopover is also seen as an opportunity to strengthen confidence in Chonburi and Pattaya as international tourism destinations.
After the operation, Chonburi will work with government agencies, local administrations and the private sector to review results on security, the economy and tourism, and to apply lessons to similar visits in the future.
