USS Abraham Lincoln Crew to Dock in Pattaya After 270 Days at Sea

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, is scheduled to dock at Laem Chabang port near the Thai resort city of Pattaya on Wednesday. This marks the first significant port call for the ship and its 5,000 sailors and marines since November, following a deployment of more than 270 consecutive days at sea. The carrier originally left California in November 2025 for the South China Sea but was rerouted to the Middle East prior to US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The ship is expected to depart Thailand on Sunday to return to the United States.

Pattaya authorities are preparing for the arrival with approximately 600 officials providing security and 40 buses to transport personnel in staggered groups. Mayor Poramase Ngampiches stated that the city hopes the visit will generate up to 100 million Thai baht in revenue during the low tourism season. Local businesses have been warned not to overcharge the sailors, and police presence will be increased along the beach and Walking Street. The mayor also noted that certain activities, including cannabis use and specific water sports like parasailing or jet skiing, are banned for the service members.

The deployment has been marked by controversy. Multiple reports indicate that the crew suffered from deteriorating living conditions and poor mental health, including attempted suicides. While some reports highlight these conditions as a point of criticism against President Donald Trump's war against Iran, other sources note that Trump downplayed the concerns, stating the deployment was not nearly long enough. The city of Pattaya, which grew from a fishing village into a tourist hub during the Vietnam War, remains known for its nightlife and sex tourism, though the mayor denied that a recent crackdown on sex workers was linked to the arrival of the US sailors.