USS Abraham Lincoln Arrives in Thailand After 286 Days at Sea
The 5,000-strong crew of the US aircraft carrier docked just north of Pattaya, near Bangkok, marking its first port call in nearly 10 months.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Hundreds of US sailors disembarked in Thailand on Wednesday for five days of rest and recreation after the USS Abraham Lincoln completed a lengthy Middle East deployment that lasted 286 days at sea.
The 5,000-strong crew of the US aircraft carrier docked just north of Pattaya, near Bangkok, marking its first port call in nearly 10 months.
The sailors' arrival was eagerly anticipated in Pattaya, a resort city known for its beaches and nightlife.
Businesses in the city welcomed the US military personnel, with some establishments putting up banners and signs to mark their arrival. Anthony "AJ" Jones, a 60-year-old musician from New Zealand who performs at a Pattaya beach bar, said the visit was expected to provide a boost to local businesses.
"We're all very excited, it should get quite lively," Jones said, adding that he planned to perform American classics for the visiting sailors.
Authorities stepped up security across the city, with dozens of Thai police and security personnel deployed along a beach walkway near the Hard Rock Hotel, where the sailors were staying.
Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said the sailors were prohibited from participating in water sports such as jet-skiing and from using cannabis during their stay.
Walking Street, one of Pattaya's well-known nightlife districts, featured illuminated signs advertising bars, restaurants and other businesses, alongside a billboard welcoming US troops.
The port visit comes after the USS Abraham Lincoln's extended deployment in the Middle East, during which concerns had been raised about conditions aboard the carrier.