The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear‑powered aircraft carrier, arrived in the Thai city of Pattaya after an uninterrupted 250‑day voyage that spanned the Pacific, South China Sea and Gulf of Oman.
The dockside stop allows the nearly 5,000‑person crew a rare chance to rest, play golf, visit the beach and shop in the city’s mixed‑traffic night markets.
The landfall harks back to the Vietnam War era, when U‑S soldiers frequented Pattaya’s bars and go‑go clubs. Today, local commercial operators hope the sailors’ arrival will “bring in money,” but authorities have barred many of the traditional “sights” and have warned vendors not to overcharge.
The Thai police have deployed hundreds of officers to monitor nightlife and keep a record of the sailors’ movements. Shuttle buses run 5 AM to 2 AM every day the carrier is present and two hotels have been approved for those who wish to enjoy a bar‑filled night by the sea.
Officials hope this shore visit will give the crew a chance to recuperate before the carrier heads back to the Pacific for a long eastward crossing scheduled for 6 September. Amid the travel ban and rising costs due to a regional conflict, the port visit also carries a hoped‑for punch‑through for Pattaya’s local economy.
