Two US sailors removed from Thai resort town after drunken brawl

In the early hours of Thursday, two U.S. sailors were removed from a Thai resort town after a minor brawl near Pattaya's popular nightlife hotspot, Walking Street, according to city police chief Colonel Anek Srathongyoo. The sailors were intoxicated and engaged in a small scuffle, causing loud noise and making a scene, but Anek described the incident as trivial and stated that local residents had only called the police to prevent the situation from escalating further.

The U.S. Navy subsequently sent the pair back to their ship. The USS Abraham Lincoln's arrival has garnered global media attention due to reports of deteriorating living conditions on board after more than 280 days at sea. The ship's visit has also put the spotlight on Pattaya, a resort town known for its vibrant nightlife and sex tourism.

Authorities had launched a crackdown on sex workers ahead of the Lincoln's visit, although they denied the crackdown was linked to the sailors' arrival. Since the ship docked, there have been no other notable incidents, according to the police chief. One local masseuse, Nattakamol Chartmontri, observed that the sailors appeared young, well-behaved, and rule-abiding.

Despite expecting a financial boost from the visit, which occurs during the low season, Pattaya businesses have remained relatively quiet, with no significant impact on their operations.