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🇱🇹 Lithuania /Conflict & Security

After a Brief Stop in Thailand, US Aircraft Carrier Returns to Open Sea

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The USS Abraham Lincoln left Thailand after a five-day stop near Pattaya, where its crew rested following a lengthy Middle East mission.
  • Pattaya police said the visit passed largely without incident, with only a minor fight involving two intoxicated sailors reported on the first day.
  • The visit brought an estimated 100 million baht in spending to the city, despite scrutiny of reported shortages and poor living conditions aboard the carrier.

The USS Abraham Lincoln sailed back into open waters on Sunday after a five-day stop in Thailand, ending the first port visit for its more than 5,000 crew members since reports emerged about deteriorating conditions aboard the carrier after nine months at sea.

The US warship anchored north of the resort city of Pattaya, near Bangkok, after a long mission in the Middle East. With Thailand outside its main tourist season, the sailors' arrival offered a welcome lift to businesses in Pattaya, a city known for its beaches and nightlife, as well as its troubled reputation as a center for sex tourism.

The carrier left Laem Chabang port at about 11 a.m. local time, AFP journalists reported. Security was tightened in Pattaya during the visit, while authorities took tougher measures against sex workers before the sailors arrived. The city's mayor denied that the two developments were connected.

Everything went well.

· Anek SrathongyooThe Pattaya police chief described the carrier's port visit as largely incident-free.

Local police said the visit went smoothly overall. Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo told AFP, "Everything went well." He said no one was arrested and no disputes occurred, apart from a minor altercation between two Americans on the first day. Earlier, he said naval authorities returned two drunk sailors to the carrier after they scuffled near Walking Street in the early hours of Thursday. Residents called police to prevent the dispute from escalating.

The visit also brought fresh attention to conditions aboard the ship. Reports that the carrier lacked food and had problems with its water systems, while sailors were suffering psychologically, prompted Democratic lawmakers in the United States to demand an investigation last month. The concerns fueled criticism of President Donald Trump's prolonged war with Iran, although the USS George Washington replaced the Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches estimated that US personnel spent up to 100 million baht, or $3 million, during the visit, including large purchases of goods such as toothpaste. She said many sailors and Marines spent their time shopping and visiting tourist sites, adding, "This shows that they miss their families and want to buy souvenirs for them."

This shows that they miss their families and want to buy souvenirs for them.

· Poramase NgampichesThe Pattaya mayor linked sailors' shopping during the visit to their families back home.
About this summary

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, 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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