US aircraft carrier docks near Thai beach resort Pattaya after record 250 days at sea

What the report says

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier, has docked in Thailand after spending a record 250 days at sea without a port call, according to BBC World News. The ship arrived near Pattaya, a beach resort known for nightlife and sex tourism, bringing nearly 5,000 crew members ashore for a break after a deployment that was originally meant to last about six months.

BBC reported that the carrier left San Diego in November and was later diverted to the Gulf after US and Israeli military operations against Iran began in late February. The article said some members of Congress had raised concerns about the crew’s living conditions during the long deployment, including reports of food shortages, toilet problems and stress, while the US Navy said the sailors had been adequately supported. The Navy declined to discuss the Pattaya stop, citing operational security.

The visit is also significant for the local economy and for the wider relationship between the US and Thailand. Pattaya businesses have been affected by weaker tourism and spending, and some shop owners are hoping US sailors will boost trade. At the same time, Thai officials have imposed restrictions on where servicemembers may go and have deployed police to manage entertainment areas. The BBC said the stop recalls the Vietnam War era, when large numbers of US troops used Pattaya for rest and relaxation.