The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has docked in Pattaya, Thailand, carrying approximately 5,000 U.S. sailors who have been at sea for over 250 days. The vessel departed San Diego last November for a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea. However, its deployment was extended and diverted to the Gulf following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran in February, with no port stops made until this arrival.
Commanding officer Captain Dan Keeler described the arrival as a "well-deserved break for all of the crew." Sailors were pictured disembarking in casual attire and receiving traditional garlands during a welcome ceremony. "We're very, very happy to be here," Keeler stated.
U.S. and Thai officials have implemented restrictions on the sailors' activities in Pattaya. They are reportedly banned from certain areas, including Soi 6, a street known for its strip clubs. Local police have also reminded personnel that prostitution is illegal, though it is a significant part of the city's economy. Additionally, cannabis shops and recreational activities such as paragliding and jet-skiing are off-limits.
Pattaya, once a fishing village, became a popular destination for U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. While port visits by U.S. naval ships are common given Thailand's status as a treaty ally, this is considered one of the largest naval visits to Pattaya since 1975.
Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches acknowledged the city's reputation but emphasized its evolution. "We have to be frank, the city has a reputation for bar girls. We understand the stereotypes. We can't stop that," he said. "What we can do is show that Pattaya has changed, that we now have other things, such as sports, seminars, wellness and family-friendly activities. It's a mixture of everything."
Authorities have recently increased enforcement against sex workers, though Ngampiches denied reports of arrests specifically related to the sailors' visit, while admitting that "that kind of thing still happens in Pattaya." The mayor anticipates the sailors' presence will boost the local economy, potentially bringing in up to 100 million baht (approximately $2 million USD) during the off-season. Local businesses, like those operating beach bars, are also expressing excitement about the influx of personnel, anticipating increased activity during the sailors' stay before their return to the U.S. on Sunday.