Laem Chabang: The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has docked at Thailand's Laem Chabang port after over nine months at sea, including a significant deployment in the Middle East. This arrival marks a critical rest-and-recreation stop for the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board, who are now headed to the Thai resort of Pattaya, a destination familiar to US troops since the Vietnam War.
According to France24.com, the nuclear-powered carrier was guided into the port by tugs, with warplanes lined up on its flight deck, as observed by AFP reporters. Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of the US Carrier Strike Group 3, expressed in a statement that the stop provides a much-needed opportunity for the crew to rest and recharge. Captain Dan Keeler, the Lincoln's commanding officer, noted that this first port visit of their "historic deployment" after 286 days will allow the crew to enjoy the beauty of Thailand.
The USS Lincoln had left California in November 2025 for operations in the South China Sea but was rerouted to the Middle East amid US-Israeli tensions with Iran, which escalated into attacks six months ago. Reports of deteriorating conditions and mental health issues on board, including attempted suicides, attracted attention in the United States, sparking criticism of President Donald Trump's military strategies.
Thailand, a US treaty ally since 1954 and a major non-NATO ally since 2003, has emphasized that the carrier's visit is solely for logistics and rest, aligning with treaty commitments and unrelated to the Middle East conflict. Pattaya, known for its beaches and nightlife, is prepared to welcome the US personnel, with local authorities focusing on safety and fair pricing for the visiting sailors.
Pattaya's mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, reported a recent crackdown on the city's sex industry, denying any connection to the US military's arrival. The mayor assured that transportation has been organized for the crew's convenience, while banning activities like water sports and cautioning against the misuse of Thailand's cannabis laws.
Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following allegations of food shortages and broken plumbing, which were dismissed by Trump and Navy officials. The carrier's deployment in the Middle East has since been taken over by the USS George Washington, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt set to relieve it soon, as tensions in the region persist.