USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 270-day deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, reached Laem Chabang port near Pattaya early Wednesday after more than 270 days at sea. The vessel, which left California in November 2025 for the South China Sea before being redirected to the Middle East, carried roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines.

Thai authorities deployed a substantial security presence as the ship docked, and police plan to disembark the crew in groups of about 50. Local officials said buses would shuttle personnel between the carrier and the city until the ship departs on Sunday.

Pattaya, a long-standing rest-and-recreation destination for U.S. forces dating back to the Vietnam era, has prepared for the arrival amid ongoing concerns about the welfare of the crew, which has been highlighted by reports of deteriorating living conditions and mental-health challenges during the deployment.

"They come to relax. Our preparations will focus on safety and ensuring fair pricing, so we don’t take advantage of them," said Pattaya mayor Poramase Ngampiches in a Facebook post.

The city, known for its beaches and nightlife, has previously faced scrutiny over its sex-work industry. While sex work remains illegal, local officials said recent crackdowns were unrelated to the carrier’s visit. The mayor noted that sailors were prohibited from participating in water-sports such as jet-skis and from exploiting Thailand’s relaxed cannabis regulations, but were encouraged to explore other attractions, including malls and religious sites.