US Carrier Visit to Thailand's Pattaya Lifts Hope and Sex-Tourism Risk

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng

BANGKOK, Aug 31 (Reuters) – After a long deployment in the Middle East, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier will dock in Thailand’s resort city of Pattaya this week, raising hopes of an economic boost, even as local authorities cracked down on parts of the sex tourism destination.

The Abraham Lincoln is due to dock on Wednesday at nearby Laem Chabang, with two accompanying Navy vessels, to allow nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard to rest and recuperate after over 200 days at sea, according to Thai officials.

Ahead of its arrival, police are