After nine months at sea, 5,000 US sailors arrive at notorious Thai fleshpot... and they're 'very, very happy'

After more than 250 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand looking rather worse for wear – and with a crew no doubt hoping to end up in the same sorry state.For the US aircraft carrier has moored in the perfect destination for its 5,000 sailors hoping to blow off steam: the party resort of Pattaya.One serviceman said he was 'very, very happy' to have arrived at the coastal city last night, which is known for its nightlife, sex tourism and cannabis shops. However it seems the sailors will have to unwind in one of Pattaya's beach bars or spas instead as officials imposed curbs to prevent scandal in the infamous resort.The USS Abraham Lincoln left San Diego last November on what was supposed to be a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea.However, it was diverted to the Gulf after the US and Israel began military operations against Iran in February, and the ship had not made any stop-offs until yesterday.Members of Congress had raised concerns about reports of food shortages, broken toilets and mental stress onboard, which were dismissed by President Donald Trump. The wife of one sailor even branded the ship a 'floating metal prison'.Yesterday US servicemen were pictured leaving the ship in sunglasses, shorts and T-shirts, before receiving traditional garlands at a welcome ceremony.'We're very, very happy to be here,' commanding officer Captain Dan Keeler said. He added that it was 'a well-deserved break for all of the crew' before they head back to the US on Sunday. After more than 250 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand looking rather worse for wear For the US aircraft carrier has moored in the perfect destination for its 5,000 sailors hoping to blow off steam: the party resort of PattayaBut US and Thai officials have imposed rules on quite how hedonistic that break can be.The sailors have been banned from certain areas of the city including Soi 6 – a strip club-lined street that runs down to the main beach. Meanwhile, local police have issued a reminder that prostitution is illegal, though there are thought to be between 25,000 and 50,000 sex workers operating in the city.Cannabis shops are also off-limits to the servicemen, along with sports such as paragliding and jet-skiing. Pattaya was once a quiet fishing village but it became a popular destination for US troops on leave during the Vietnam War.Thailand is a treaty ally of the US and port stops by its navy ships are a familiar occurrence. However, this visit is thought to be the largest to Pattaya since the fall of Saigon in 1975. 'The visits of US military men 50 to 60 years ago introduced Pattaya to the world and turned it into a tourist attraction,' mayor Poramase Ngampiches said.'We have to be frank, the city has a reputation for bar girls. We understand the stereotypes. We can't stop that.'What we can do is show that Pattaya has changed, that we now have other things, such as sports, seminars, wellness and family-friendly activities. It's a mixture of everything.' Members of US military arrive at Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya for a welcoming ceremony The sailors have been banned from certain areas of the city including Soi 6 – a strip club-lined street that runs down to the main beachAuthorities recently cracked down on sex workers in the city, but Poramase denied reports of arrests ahead of the visit. However, he acknowledged: 'We have to be honest, that kind of thing still happens in Pattaya.'He added that the sailors could bring in up to 100million baht (£2million) during their stay – a boost during low season. Anthony Jones, a 60-year-old musician from New Zealand, also said the visit will be a 'boon for business'. He added: 'We're all very excited. It should get quite lively.'Mr Jones, who performs every night at a Pattaya beach bar, said he was planning to perform some American classics to entertain the troops.