US Navy crew of USS Abraham Lincoln spends shore leave in Pattaya, Thailand

Nearly 5,000 crew members of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln disembarked in Pattaya, Thailand, on Wednesday after a 250-day deployment in the Middle East. Most of the sailors headed first to local shops before gathering at the Hard Rock Hotel, one of two beachfront accommodations where they were allowed to stay off the ship.

The sailors, easily identified by their navy-issue t-shirts and haircuts, stood out among the resort’s usual beach-wear crowd. Evening saw many of them walk along Walking Street, the city’s main nightlife thoroughfare, where a large illuminated sign welcomed the US crew. While Thai law prohibits prostitution, the sailors were permitted to purchase alcohol and visit bars.

Local business owners reported mixed reactions. Restaurant proprietor Kosol Homkhunthod said the presence of the American sailors generated a noticeable increase in activity after a period of slow business. In contrast, bar owner Kanta Saenkla noted that many of the sailors appeared to be merely strolling rather than purchasing drinks, a shift from previous visits.

One sailor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the long deployment had left the crew “bored” and “lost track of time,” adding that the shore leave was a needed break. The US Navy’s Shore Liaison Group, identifiable by SLG-marked t-shirts, was visible throughout the city, tasked with maintaining discipline and coordinating with Thai authorities.

US Naval Attaché Kristopher Robinson declined specific questions about prohibited activities but said the Navy aims to give sailors “as much opportunity for rest as they can,” and that personnel will “conduct themselves in accordance with US law, US naval regulations, and the laws of Thailand.”

The port call aligns with routine US-Thai naval agreements and provides the crew a chance to recuperate before the carrier continues its transit from the Gulf of Thailand to California.