WEBDESK - BBC - Imran Malik
After an extraordinary 250 days at sea without a single port stop, nearly 5,000 exhausted US sailors and Marines have finally arrived in Thailand — and the famous resort city of Pattaya is ready for them.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docked near Pattaya following a deployment that stretched far beyond its original schedule, giving thousands of crew members their first major break after months at sea.
The carrier left San Diego last November for what was expected to be a six-month deployment in the Pacific and South China Sea. But the mission changed dramatically when the vessel was diverted to the Gulf after US and Israeli military operations against Iran began in late February.
The extended deployment has raised concerns in Washington, where members of Congress have raised questions about reports of food shortages, broken toilets, and mounting mental stress among crew members. The US Navy acknowledged the difficult conditions but said personnel had received adequate support.
Now, the arrival in Pattaya offers a long-awaited chance to rest.
For Pattaya's businesses, however, the visit could mean something else: a desperately needed economic lifeline.
The city's tourism and entertainment industry has been hit by weaker consumer spending and the broader economic impact of the war in Iran. Thousands of American personnel arriving after months at sea — with accumulated salaries and time ashore — represent a major opportunity for hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses.
“This visit could be our best hope,” local gem seller Anon Saiteer told the media.
Pattaya also has deep historical ties to the US military. During the Vietnam War, hundreds of thousands of American troops visited the then-small fishing community for rest and recreation, helping transform it into one of Asia's most internationally recognized tourist destinations.
But authorities are determined to ensure the latest visit avoids the controversies associated with Pattaya's nightlife.
Several areas and activities have been declared off-limits to US personnel, including the Soi 6 entertainment district, cannabis shops and water sports such as jet-skis and paragliding.
Thai authorities have deployed hundreds of police officers around key entertainment areas, while businesses have been warned against overcharging American visitors.
US Naval Attaché Kristopher Robinson said personnel would conduct themselves in accordance with US law, naval regulations, and Thai law.
Shuttle buses have been arranged between the port and Pattaya, and selected hotels are accommodating crew members who choose to spend nights ashore.
Thailand, a longtime US treaty ally, regularly hosts American naval vessels. But the arrival of nearly 5,000 personnel, directly following an extended deployment related to the Iran conflict, is among the most significant US military visits to Pattaya in decades.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to leave Thailand on September 6 and begin its long journey home across the Pacific — carrying a crew that, after 250 days at sea, has finally had a chance to step back onto land.