Pattaya Prepares Welcome for Lincoln Sailors After 270-Day Deployment

Thai authorities in Pattaya are preparing to host thousands of sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln after more than 270 days at sea. About 600 officials will handle security and arrangements, with around 40 buses transporting crew members from Laem Chabang port to Pattaya in staggered groups before the ship departs again. Service members will face restrictions on certain activities, and police will boost presence around popular areas. The Lincoln’s port call follows a long Middle East deployment tied to Iran-related operations, with the ship set to return to the US afterward. Local businesses hope for a tourism boost amid broader security and social concerns in the area.