Having fun, letting loose: US sailors arrive in Thailand after 286 days at sea

After a nine-month deployment at sea, US Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has arrived in Thailand, giving thousands of sailors and Marines a rare chance to step ashore. The five-day visit is also raising hopes among businesses in Pattaya, where traders are looking to the influx of American service members for a much-needed boost to the resort city's struggling tourism economy.The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier carrying about 5,000 personnel, reached the eastern Thai port of Laem Chabang on Wednesday after spending 286 days at sea, including an extended deployment in US naval operations during the war with Iran.The Lincoln had left San Diego in November for what was initially expected to be a six-month deployment in the Pacific and South China Sea. Its mission was extended after the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran in late February. The prolonged deployment has raised concerns over the wellbeing of those on board. Some members of Congress recently flagged reports of food shortages, broken toilets and mental stress among the crew.The US Navy admitted that conditions had been difficult but said personnel had received adequate support. Rear Adm Robert E Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, described the stop as an opportunity for the sailors and Marines to recover. "Our arrival in Laem Chabang provides a well-deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge," Loughran said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters."What this strike group has accomplished is truly historic. I could not be prouder of the exceptional professionalism and expertise demonstrated by every member of this team during our operations."PATTAYA HOPES FOR A BUSINESS BOOST For Pattaya, the arrival of thousands of American service members is also a welcome chance to revive business. The resort city, around 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, has long been known for its nightlife and sex tourism. Its ties with the US military date back to the Vietnam War, when American troops regularly came to the area for rest and relaxation. According to the BBC, US troops helped transform Pattaya from a quiet fishing community into an internationally known tourist destination. Members of US military arrive at Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya for a welcoming ceremony, in Thailand. (Photo: Reuters) Ahead of the sailors' arrival, Pattaya was already gearing up for an unusual week. According to local media, vendors and small businesses around the city’s Walking Street were preparing to make the most of the expected crowds, with one tailor advertising clothes "Specially for US Navy - Ready in 24 hours". For traders who had endured a quiet tourist season, the arrival of thousands of American service members offered a rare chance to bring customers -- and much-needed money -- back to their businesses.However, the city's entertainment districts are now quieter than they once were. Businesses are struggling amid weaker tourism and consumer spending linked to the ongoing Iran war.Local traders are therefore hoping the sailors will spend some of their time and money in the city.Clothes seller Kadsalin Ketpa, 43, told Reuters: "It's been so quiet these days. I hope with their arrival they would drive my sales up."Food seller Saroch, 45, was similarly optimistic about the impact of the port visit."They're here for drinks, having fun, and letting loose," Saroch said.AUTHORITIES MOVE TO LIMIT CONTROVERSYThai and US officials are, however, keen to prevent the visit from generating the kind of headlines associated with Pattaya's more controversial reputation. Mayor Poramase Ngampiches told the BBC that US military officials had restricted access to certain areas and activities, including some entertainment zones and water sports. People walk along a street lined with bars and entertainment venues, in Pattaya. (Photo: Reuters) Soi 6, a street known for its concentration of go-go bars, is among the areas where American service members have reportedly been advised not to go. Cannabis shops and activities such as jet-skiing and paragliding are also off-limits. Thai police have also increased patrols around the city's nightlife areas and warned businesses against overcharging American visitors."It is their decision," Poramase told the BBC. "The US military have done their homework."US Naval Attache Kristopher Robinson said the sailors would follow American military regulations as well as Thai law."We're trying to give the sailors as much opportunity for rest as they can," he said.OLD ALLIES, A FAMILIAR DESTINATIONThailand is an ally of the US, despite maintaining close ties with China. US Navy port visits are therefore a familiar sight in the country. The Lincoln arrived alongside other US naval vessels, including the guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E Petersen Jr and guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls."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 to 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," Mayor Poramase said. Women stand outside a bar in Pattaya’s nightlife district, in Pattaya City. (Photo: Reuters) Ahead of the arrival, authorities in Pattaya had launched a city-wide crackdown on sex workers and prostitution networks. Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, with laws prohibiting activities including public solicitation, running brothels and profiting from sex work. In practice, however, the industry remains widespread and is often tolerated, particularly in Pattaya, a major tourist destination that the US FBI has previously described as "one of the world's leading sex tourism destinations".The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to leave Thailand on September 6 and begin its long journey back across the Pacific.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 19:55 IST