Two U.S. sailors were involved in a drunken brawl in Pattaya, Thailand, just hours after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived for a port visit. The incident occurred Wednesday, shortly after the ship completed a record-breaking 286-day deployment at sea.
Local police chief Colonel Anek Srathongyoo stated on Thursday that the sailors were drunk and causing a disturbance. While they did not violate any Thai laws, they will be confined to the ship for the remainder of its five-day stop. The scuffle took place near Walking Street in the city's red-light district.
Officials had implemented strict rules for the 5,000 sailors visiting Pattaya, a popular tourist destination known for its nightlife. They were reportedly banned from Soi 6, a street lined with strip clubs, and police reminded the crew that prostitution is illegal. Additionally, cannabis shops were off-limits, as were activities like paragliding and jet-skiing.
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego last November for a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea. Its deployment was extended and diverted to the Gulf following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran in February. During this extended period at sea, concerns were raised by members of Congress regarding alleged food shortages and mental stress among the crew, claims that were dismissed by President Donald Trump. One sailor's wife described the ship as a 'floating metal prison.'
This visit to Pattaya is reportedly the largest by U.S. servicemen since 1975, following the fall of Saigon. No other notable incidents have been reported during the current visit. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its crew are scheduled to depart for the U.S. on Sunday.