2͏1͏h͏ ·
FACT CHECK: U.S. SAILORS REALLY ARE BANNED FROM SOI 6 & SOI 7 — BUT NOT FROM PATTAYA!
Social media is buzzing with claims that U.S. Navy sailors and Marines visiting Pattaya have been “banned from Pattaya.”
That’s misleading.
The restriction on certain Pattaya areas is REAL.
Pattaya City officials held a coordination meeting with representatives of the U.S. Navy ship security teams ahead of the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying Navy vessels.
Officials agreed that visiting U.S. Navy personnel will not be permitted to enter:
Soi 6
Soi 6/1
Soi 7
Cannabis shops and pharmacies
Certain water-based activities
The restrictions have been reported by multiple news organizations, so this is not simply a Facebook rumor.
But here's the important part:
PATTAYA ITSELF IS NOT OFF-LIMITS.
In fact, Pattaya officials are actively preparing to welcome the visiting personnel and expect around 3,000 of the more than 5,000 sailors and Marines to come into Pattaya during the port call.
Walking Street is NOT banned.
U.S. personnel can visit Walking Street, although they are expected to leave the area by 2:00 a.m.
So the accurate way to describe the situation is:
Specific Pattaya areas and activities have been placed off-limits to visiting U.S. Navy personnel — Pattaya has NOT banned American sailors or Marines from the city.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying ships are making a port call in Thailand from September 2–6, giving thousands of personnel a chance to rest and enjoy shore leave after an exceptionally long deployment.
Pattaya authorities have also increased security and reminded businesses not to overcharge visitors, while stressing that prostitution and sexual exploitation remain illegal.
FACT CHECK VERDICT: TRUE — but with an important clarification.
The Soi 6, Soi 6/1 and Soi 7 restrictions are real.
The claim that “U.S. sailors are banned from Pattaya” is false/misleading.
Pattaya remains open to them — just not every street or activity.
For news and public awareness purposes.