PATTAYA, September 2nd, 2026:
Pattaya City Mayor Poramese Ngampichet, together with Bang Lamung District Chief Anusak Phiriyamorn and Pattaya City Police Station Superintendent Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, on Wednesday afternoon welcomed personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group at Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya.
The reception, held at 3 p.m., was led by Capt. Dan Keeler, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). A busload of crew members from the ship took part in the ceremony. Officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Pattaya office, Terminal 21 Pattaya, Central Pattaya and Central Marina Outlet also joined the welcome.
The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Laem Chabang Port on the morning of Sept. 2 with Carrier Strike Group 3, Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21 and nine squadrons assigned to the air wing. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) docked the same morning at Si Racha.
More than 5,000 U.S. personnel are expected to take shore leave in Pattaya from Sept. 2 to 6 to rest and travel after more than 260 days at sea.
Mayor Poramese presented Thai-patterned scarf garlands decorated with bows and tags reading “A Souvenir from Pattaya City,” made by the Pattaya Women’s Development Group, to Capt. Keeler and members of the crew. The commanding officer presented a commemorative gift to the mayor as a token of friendship.
The mayor welcomed the visitors and said Pattaya had coordinated closely with Bang Lamung District and Pattaya City Police on security, as well as on checks of product quality and prices to prevent overcharging of service members shopping in the city. He said the visit was drawing public and media attention and offered Pattaya a chance to stimulate tourism across hotels, restaurants, attractions and transport.
The mayor also clarified that restrictions on certain locations and hours are U.S. Navy rules intended to protect personnel during shore leave. Cannabis shops and some water activities are off-limits. Trips to Koh Larn remain allowed. Some entertainment venues are restricted after sunset. Pattaya’s role, he said, is to coordinate and support security with related agencies. Residents, tourists and businesses may continue to use public areas and operate as usual.
City officials expect the visit to boost hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, shops and service businesses, while reinforcing Pattaya’s image as an international tourist destination and a welcoming host.
News: Khwanjai Suetrong
Photos: Chinanang Chumchuea
Public Relations Division, Office of Tourism and Sports, Pattaya City
