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USS Abraham Lincoln docks at Thailand's Pattaya resort after 250 days at sea
BBC • • nation
Key Points:
- After a record 250 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln docked in Pattaya, Thailand, providing nearly 5,000 crew members a much-needed break following a prolonged deployment including time near the Gulf amid US and Israeli operations against Iran.
- Pattaya, historically transformed by US troops during the Vietnam War into a famous party town known for its nightlife and sex tourism, is currently quieter due to the Iran War's impact on tourism, but local businesses see the sailors' visit as a vital economic opportunity.
- Thai authorities have restricted US servicemen's access to certain areas, such as Soi 6 and cannabis shops, to avoid negative headlines, and have deployed police to monitor entertainment zones while the US Navy provides shuttle services and designated hotels for the crew.
- Despite concerns raised in Congress about tough conditions aboard the carrier, the US Navy maintains the crew is well-supported, and the visit marks one of the largest arrivals of US military personnel in Pattaya since the end of the Vietnam War.
