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Thailand preps for USS Abraham Lincoln visit
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying over 5,000 American service members, is expected to dock in Chonburi province near Pattaya, Thailand, this week after a lengthy Middle East deployment related to the U.S. conflict with Iran.
- Pattaya officials, including Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, hope the visit will boost the local economy amid a global tourism decline caused by rising gas prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
- Restrictions will be in place for U.S. service members during their visit, including bans on parasailing and marijuana use, and there will be increased police presence to maintain order and prevent legal violations.
- While some local businesses welcome the influx of American personnel, others remain uncertain about the economic impact, noting that previous visits did not always translate into significant spending.
- The USS Abraham Lincoln will return to the U.S. after the port call, following a record-setting deployment of over 250 days at sea, which raised concerns about crew wellbeing and supply shortages.
