US aircraft carrier departs Thailand after port call

The USS Abraham Lincoln left Thailand on Sunday after a five-day port call that brought about 5,000 US sailors to Laem Chabang, near Pattaya. The visit followed nine months at sea and reports of deteriorating living conditions aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

The crew arrived on Wednesday for rest and recreation after a lengthy deployment in the Middle East. Their presence offered a boost to Pattaya businesses during the tourism low season, while authorities increased security and cracked down on sex workers before the sailors arrived. Pattaya’s mayor denied that the action was linked to the port call.

Local police said the visit ended largely without incident. “Everything went fine,” Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo told AFP. He said there were no arrests or arguments apart from an incident on the first day, when two Americans argued among themselves. The Navy later sent the two sailors back to the Lincoln after a drunken altercation near Walking Street.

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Everything went fine.

Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches estimated that the sailors spent up to 100 million baht, or about $3 million, during their stay. The city also earned millions of baht from supplies sold to the ship, including toothpaste. Media reports had said sailors went without basic toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorant and soap at points during the deployment.

The visit came as US Democratic lawmakers called for an investigation into reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises aboard the Lincoln. President Donald Trump dismissed those concerns. The carrier has since been replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington. Many sailors and Marines spent their time shopping and visiting tourism sites, with the mayor saying they wanted to buy souvenirs for their families.

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It shows that they are missing their families and want to buy some souvenirs for them.