USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in Thailand after 286 days at sea
The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at the port of Laem Chabang in Thailand’s Chonburi province on September 2. This is the ship’s first port call in nine months; about 5,000 U.S. sailors and Marines are on board.
As The Korea Herald reports, citing AFP, tugboats escorted the aircraft carrier into port in the morning. Dozens of aircraft were positioned on its flight deck. Rear Adm. Robert Logran, commander of the carrier strike group, said that the arrival in Laem Chabang gives sailors and Marines an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Rest in Pattaya
The USS Abraham Lincoln crew is expected to travel to the resort city of Pattaya. Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said buses were arranged to transport military personnel between the ship and the city and will operate until the aircraft carrier departs on Sunday.
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According to him, the city’s preparations are focused on security and ensuring fair prices. Sailors were also prohibited from engaging in water sports, including using jet skis, and from taking advantage of Thailand’s liberal cannabis rules.
Deployment in the Middle East
USS Abraham Lincoln commander Capt. Dan Keeler called this port call the first during a “historic deployment” after 286 days at sea. The aircraft carrier left California in November 2025 for service in the South China Sea and was later redirected to the Middle East ahead of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Reports of deteriorating living conditions, food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health problems on board, including suicide attempts, prompted Democratic lawmakers to call for an investigation. U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed these concerns. In mid-August, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said that a small number of mental health-related cases had been recorded, with no fatalities.
