The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Thailand's Laem Chabang Port, north of Pattaya, on Sep. 2 for a five-day "crew rest and ship maintenance" after 286 consecutive days at sea, according to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press. Media reports had previously disclosed that Pattaya police had recently conducted crackdowns on vice activities and announced restrictions barring U.S. military personnel from entering multiple red-light districts.
Footage from the scene showed the carrier's hull covered in rust, with severe wear on the edges of the flight deck where fighter jets and helicopters are parked.
Before its port call, the Lincoln had spent 286 continuous days at sea, with over 200 of those days on combat missions. The approximately 5,000 crew members had experienced almost no routine rest during that period. The prolonged deployment led to deteriorating living conditions onboard, including shortages of food and hygiene supplies, and reports that some sailors had attempted suicide by jumping overboard.
The Lincoln will remain in Thailand until Sep. 6, allowing thousands of U.S. service members to go ashore for rest. According to reports, Pattaya police have recently stepped up patrols along major beaches and nightlife areas, and conducted crackdowns, detaining 40 to 50 individuals on suspicion of involvement in prostitution.
Police acknowledged that the influx of large numbers of U.S. military personnel would increase the difficulty of maintaining public order. To prevent crime and ensure social order, police plan to deploy additional patrols and surveillance equipment in the coming days. In addition, U.S. service members are prohibited from using cannabis during their stay in Thailand and are strictly forbidden from entering designated red-light districts or engaging in any form of commercial sex transactions. Local businesses, however, are optimistic about the spending boost from U.S. personnel, with expected revenues reaching as high as 100 million baht (approximately HK$23.68 million).
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