US Navy carrier Abraham Lincoln arrives in Thailand after 286 days at sea

On Wednesday, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand's Laem Chabang port after a lengthy 286 days at sea. This includes a deployment in the Middle East and a record-breaking streak of consecutive days at sea, according to Democratic lawmakers. The Lincoln, carrying around 5,000 sailors and Marines, had been involved in naval blockade and combat operations in the Iran war.

Accompanied by other U.S. naval vessels, the carrier docked in Laem Chabang, Thailand's only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia. The visit will last five days for rest and recuperation, with the Lincoln's crew currently aboard. The commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, Rear Admiral Robert E. Loughran, expressed pride in the crew's exceptional professionalism and expertise during their operations.

Thailand and the U.S. have a strong military relationship and hold annual joint exercises, with Bangkok emphasizing that this visit is not related to the Middle Eastern conflict and is for rest and logistics as per treaty commitments. The arrival of thousands of military personnel is expected to boost Pattaya's economy, a resort city also known for sex tourism.

Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches arranged around 40 buses to transport the military personnel between Pattaya and Laem Chabang, where the vessels will dock. The port city will see additional police patrols around the main beachfront and nightlife district following recent anti-prostitution raids.