06.09.2026 09:30
Thousands of personnel serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier of the United States came ashore in Thailand after a nearly nine-month deployment. Moments when some US soldiers, mingling with Pattaya's nightlife, took to the stages of entertainment venues and danced with women drew attention. It was also reported that two US sailors were sent back to the ship after getting into a fight while intoxicated in the city.
The U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked at Thailand's Laem Chabang Port after an exceptionally long deployment. A portion of the approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines on board headed to the nearby tourist hub Pattaya as part of a few days of rest and recreation.
The port visit by USS Abraham Lincoln drew attention especially due to its duration. The aircraft carrier remained at sea for over 265 days without a regular port visit, with the total mission length reaching about nine months.
FIRST TIME ON SHORE IN MONTHS
For the crew, who spent a significant part of the long mission in the Middle East, the Thailand stop meant a chance to go ashore for the first time in months.
The U.S. Navy stated the visit aimed to allow personnel to rest and recharge, and the service members left the ship in groups and moved to Pattaya.
In the city, some service members opted for shopping malls, restaurants, and tourist spots, while others headed to Pattaya's famous nightlife.
THEY TOOK THE STAGE AT A NIGHTCLUB
In footage shared from the area, a group of men reported to be U.S. service members can be seen taking the stage at a crowded entertainment venue.
Some men are seen removing their shirts and dancing to music, having fun with women on stage, while the surrounding crowd records the moments on their cell phones.
Since the service members are not in uniform in the footage, it is not possible to independently verify from the video alone that these individuals are part of the USS Abraham Lincoln crew. However, the footage circulated during the period when the crew was in the city during the ship's visit to Pattaya.
SPECIAL MEASURES TAKEN IN PATTAYA
After it was announced that about 5,000 U.S. service members would arrive in the city, Pattaya's administration and security forces increased their preparations.
Certain rules were also imposed on U.S. personnel. While service members were not allowed to enter some of Pattaya's entertainment districts after certain hours, restrictions were also applied regarding drug use and certain risky tourist activities.
Although sex work is not legal in Thailand, Pattaya has long been associated with sex tourism and nightlife. Before the aircraft carrier's arrival, local security forces reportedly increased inspections in the city and took action against dozens of people.
TWO SAILORS SENT BACK TO THE SHIP
Another incident occurred while thousands of service members were in the city. Two U.S. sailors were reported to have been involved in a drunken brawl near Pattaya's famous Walking Street area.
Local police ended the incident before it escalated, and the two service members were reported to have been sent back to the USS Abraham Lincoln. Police described the events as a minor scuffle rather than a major incident.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ACTIVITY FOR PATTAYA
The simultaneous arrival of thousands of service members also created significant economic activity for local businesses. From hotels to restaurants, shopping malls to entertainment venues, numerous businesses prepared to welcome the U.S. service members.
Some businesses hung U.S. flags and special welcome messages, while some venues offered discounts to military personnel.
However, it was reported that the expected surge did not fully translate into nightlife, as many service members, on their first days ashore after months, preferred more routine activities such as shopping, eating, and resting.
THEY ARRIVED AFTER A TOUGH 9-MONTH DEPLOYMENT
The long deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln was quite challenging for the crew. With approximately 5,000 personnel remaining at sea for months, the effects of the lengthy mission on the personnel's living conditions and psychology were also widely discussed in the U.S. press.
For this reason, the Thailand visit was much more than a routine port stop; it was one of the first comprehensive rest opportunities for the crew who had spent months at sea without a break.
After the visit to Thailand, USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying task group are expected to continue their journey back to the United States.