PATTAYA — 7 September 2026, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet said a five-day visit by around 4,800 US Navy personnel from the USS Abraham Lincoln generated an estimated 100 million baht (about US$3 million) in local spending, while helping show a broader side of the resort city beyond its nightlife.
The US personnel came ashore for rest and recreation from 2–6 September.
Poramet said one of the most important benefits of the visit was the opportunity to present a “new image” of Pattaya as a more diverse tourist destination, rather than a city known primarily for nightlife, bars and entertainment venues.
During the visit, US personnel travelled to attractions across the area, including the Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Pattaya Floating Market. Some also took part in elephant rides, went shopping and bought souvenirs for their families.
Poramet said an exact figure for total spending was not yet available. However, discussions with local business operators and US Embassy officials indicated that each service member spent an average of at least US$100–150.
Based on those estimates, around 100 million baht circulated through the local economy over the five-day period, he said.
The spending was spread across restaurants, shopping centres, tourist attractions and retail businesses, rather than being concentrated solely in Pattaya’s nightlife sector.
Poramet said the travel habits of US personnel also appeared different from the city’s historical image of visits by American troops during the GI era.
Of the roughly 4,800 personnel, around 20% were women, while many were younger service members who had researched Pattaya in advance and planned which attractions they wanted to visit.
He said this reflected a changing pattern of tourism among visiting US military personnel, with many showing interest in sightseeing, shopping and other activities beyond Pattaya’s nightlife.
