The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln left Thailand on Sunday after a five-day port call, ending its first break in roughly nine months at sea following operations in the Middle East.
The nuclear-powered carrier and its crew of about 5,000 departed the port of Laem Chabang, a half-hour drive from the resort city of Pattaya, at around 11 a.m. local time, Ada Derana reported, citing AFP journalists at the scene. It had docked on Wednesday for five days of rest and recreation.
“We would like to thank the people of Thailand for their incredible hospitality,” the Lincoln’s commanding officer, Captain Dan Keeler, said in a statement carried by Hiru News.
A record deployment
The Lincoln took part in the US naval blockade and combat operations in the war with Iran. Naval deployments normally run six to nine months, but can be extended during conflict; US Democratic lawmakers say the ship set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
Those lawmakers called last month for an investigation into conditions aboard, following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises. Media reports said sailors had gone without basic toiletries including toothpaste, deodorant and soap at points during the deployment. President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns, which have fed criticism of the prolonged campaign against Iran. The Lincoln has since been replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington.
Thailand is the United States’ only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia.
What the visit meant for Pattaya
The sailors arrived during Thailand’s tourism low season, raising hopes among local businesses. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches estimated the crew spent up to 100 million baht — about US$3 million — during the stay, with the city also selling supplies to the ship worth millions of baht more, including toothpaste. Many of the sailors and Marines spent their time shopping and visiting tourist sites.
Security was tightened during the visit, with authorities cracking down on sex workers ahead of the sailors’ arrival, though the mayor denied the two were connected.
Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo said the port call passed largely without incident. “Everything went fine,” he told AFP. “There were no arrests or arguments except on the first day when Americans had an argument among themselves.” Two sailors were sent back to the ship after a drunken altercation near Pattaya’s Walking Street nightlife strip in the early hours of Thursday, which he had earlier described as a trivial scuffle.
Two wires, two accounts
The two Sri Lankan outlets ran different wire copy. Ada Derana carried the AFP report, which supplied the Pattaya spending estimates and the police account. Hiru’s version carried the US Navy statement and Captain Keeler’s quote. Neither said where the Lincoln is heading next.
