2 US sailors removed from Thai resort town after drunken brawl

Two US sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln were removed from a Thai resort town after engaging in a drunken brawl early Thursday near Pattaya's popular nightlife hotspot, Walking Street, according to Thai police. The incident, described as "trivial" by city police chief Colonel Anek Srathongyoo, involved the sailors fighting and making loud noise.

Local residents alerted the police to prevent the situation from escalating, as they did not violate any Thai law, resulting in no charges being filed. The US Navy subsequently sent the sailors back to the ship. The Abraham Lincoln's visit has drawn global media attention due to reports of deteriorating living conditions on board after over 280 days at sea.

The city has also experienced a crackdown on sex workers in preparation for the ship's arrival, although authorities denied this was linked to the sailors' presence. Authorities have reported no other notable incidents since the Lincoln docked, with one local masseuse stating the situation has been calmer than previous military port calls.

Pattaya businesses have hoped for increased patronage during the visit, but one local business owner noted the sailors have not significantly impacted the local economy thus far. US Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into the conditions on the Lincoln due to reports of food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises.

Despite these concerns, President Donald Trump dismissed the issues, shifting focus to his administration's actions regarding Iran.