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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

5,000 US sailors arrive in Thailand after months at sea

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • About 5,000 sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived near Pattaya for five days of rest after 286 days at sea.
  • Thai authorities increased security and imposed restrictions on activities including water sports and cannabis use during the visit.
  • The carrier’s deployment followed service in the South China Sea and the Middle East, amid US reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental-health crises aboard the ship.

After 286 days at sea, about 5,000 US sailors and Marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived near Pattaya for five days of rest and recreation. The port call brought thousands of military personnel to a Thai resort city known for its beaches and nightlife, as well as its sex-tourism industry.

We have to be honest, that kind of thing still happens in Pattaya.

— Poramase NgampichesThe Pattaya mayor acknowledged the city’s continuing association with the sex industry.

Pattaya businesses were preparing for the influx. On a street associated with the sex industry, women wore revealing sailor outfits, while Mayor Poramase Ngampiches highlighted the city’s sports, wellness, beaches and shopping malls. Authorities increased security because they were concerned about possible trouble.

Food, sleep, water.

— US service membersSailors described their immediate priorities after arriving in Thailand.

The sailors arrived in civilian shorts and T-shirts and received traditional garlands at a welcoming ceremony. Asked about their priorities, some answered simply: “Food, sleep, water.” Captain Dan Keeler, the carrier’s commanding officer, called the stop a well-deserved break for the crew.

We’re very, very happy to be here.

— Dan KeelerThe carrier’s commanding officer welcomed the crew’s port call.

The nuclear-powered carrier reached Laem Chabang early on Sept. 2, with dozens of warplanes on its flight deck. The ship left California in November for duty in the South China Sea before being redirected to the Middle East ahead of US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Reports of poor living conditions and mental-health problems aboard the carrier, including attempted suicides, have prompted Democratic lawmakers to call for an investigation. Trump dismissed the concerns, while acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao accused the media of “trying to paint our warriors as victims.”

trying to paint our warriors as victims

— Hung CaoThe acting Navy secretary criticized media coverage of conditions aboard the carrier.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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