Thai police are intensifying a crackdown on alleged sex workers in the resort city of Pattaya, days before a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and thousands of American sailors and Marines are expected to arrive.
Local media footage showed more than 20 alleged sex workers being detained on Saturday night as police increased patrols in the city.
Authorities said around 40 to 50 people were apprehended over the weekend for allegedly soliciting or openly offering prostitution.
Police said the operation was part of routine enforcement but had been intensified to maintain order and protect Pattaya's image ahead of the arrival of the U.S. Navy personnel.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by two other U.S. Navy vessels, is expected to dock at nearby Laem Chabang on Wednesday.
The carrier arrives after more than 200 days at sea, carrying around 5,000 sailors and Marines.
The Lincoln left its home port in San Diego in November before being redirected to the Middle East to support U.S. military operations in the war with Iran.
Pattaya has longstanding ties to the U.S. military. The former fishing village grew into a major tourism destination after American servicemen began visiting during the Vietnam War.
While prostitution is illegal in Thailand, the sex industry remains highly visible in major tourist centers, including Pattaya.
Police said they will deploy additional patrols and drones around the city's beachfront and nightlife districts as the U.S. ships prepare to arrive.
