After more than 250 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has docked Thailand looking a little worse for wear – and with a crew no doubt hoping to end up in the same sorry state.
Because the American aircraft carrier has the perfect destination for its 5,000 sailors hoping to let off steam: the party resort of Pattaya.
A soldier said he was “very happy” to arrive last night in the coastal city, known for its nightlife, sex tourism and cannabis shops.
However, it appears the sailors will have to relax at one of Pattaya’s beach bars or spas instead, as officials have imposed curbs to prevent scandals at the infamous resort.
The USS Abraham Lincoln left San Diego last November for a six-month assignment in the Pacific and South China Sea.
However, it was diverted to the Gulf after the US Israel began military operations against Iran in February and the ship had not made a single stop until yesterday.
Members of Congress had raised concerns about reports of food shortages, broken toilets and mental stress on board, which were dismissed by President Donald Trump. A sailor’s wife even described the ship as a ‘floating metal prison’.
Yesterday, US service members were photographed leaving the ship in sunglasses, shorts and T-shirts before receiving traditional streamers during a welcome ceremony.
“We’re very, very happy to be here,” said Commander Capt. Dan Keeler. He added that it was “a well-deserved break for the entire crew” before returning to the US on Sunday.
After more than 250 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand and is showing some wear and tear
Because the American aircraft carrier is docked at the perfect destination for its 5,000 sailors hoping to let off steam: the party resort of Pattaya
But U.S. and Thai officials have imposed rules on how hedonistic that break can be.
The sailors have been banned from certain areas of the city, including Soi 6 – a strip club-lined street that runs to the main beach.
Meanwhile, local police have reminded that prostitution is illegal, although there are estimated to be between 25,000 and 50,000 sex workers operating in the city.
Cannabis shops are also off-limits to military personnel, as are sports such as paragliding and jet skiing.
Once a quiet fishing village, Pattaya became a popular destination for American troops on leave during the Vietnam War.
Thailand is a treaty ally of the US and port stops by its naval vessels are a common occurrence.
However, this visit to Pattaya is believed to be the largest since the fall of Saigon in 1975.
“The visits of American soldiers fifty to sixty years ago introduced Pattaya to the world and turned it into a tourist attraction,” said Mayor Poramase Ngampiches.
‘We have to be honest: the city has a reputation when it comes to bar girls. We understand the stereotypes. We can’t stop that.
“What we can do is show that Pattaya has changed, that we now have different things like sports, seminars, wellness and family-friendly activities. It’s a mix of everything.’
Members of the US military arrive at Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya for a welcome ceremony
The sailors have been banned from certain areas of the city, including Soi 6 – a street full of strip clubs that runs to the main beach
Authorities have recently cracked down on sex workers in the city, but Poramase denied reports of arrests ahead of the visit.
However, he acknowledged: “We have to be honest, things like that still happen in Pattaya.”
He added that the sailors could bring in up to 100 million baht (£2 million) during their stay – a boost in the off-season.
Anthony Jones, a 60-year-old musician from New Zealand, also said the visit will be a “boon for business.” He added: “We are all very excited. It should be quite lively.”
Mr Jones, who performs nightly at a beach bar in Pattaya, said he planned to perform a number of American classics to entertain the troops.
