![\"pattaya-citys-mayor-poramet-ngampichet-gifts-souvenirs-to-american-service-members-from-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-strike-group-at-hotel-in-pattaya-thailand-wednesday-sept-2-2026-ap-photosakchai\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788379170_134_.jpeg\")
\n Pattaya City’s Mayor Poramet Ngampichet gifts souvenirs to American service members from USS Abraham Lincoln Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
HUNDREDS OF US sailors have disembarked in Thailand, visiting a resort town with a seedy reputation after a lengthy Middle East deployment that sparked concerns over conditions on board.<\/p>\n
The 5,000-strong crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln docked just north of Pattaya, near Bangkok, for their first port call in 286 days at sea.<\/p>\n
Their arrival for five days of rest and recreation was eagerly awaited in Pattaya, a city known for its beaches and nightlife, and also as a hub for sex tourism.<\/p>\n
On one street known as a hotspot for that industry, women paraded in revealing sailor outfits \u2013 although the mayor emphasised the city\u2019s other offerings, from sports and wellness to beaches and malls.<\/p>\n
\n Pattaya City’s Mayor Poramet Ngampichet gifts souvenirs to American service members from USS Abraham Lincoln Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all very excited, it should get quite lively,\u201d said Anthony \u201cAJ\u201d Jones, a 60-year-old musician from New Zealand who performs every night at a Pattaya beach bar.<\/p>\n
A banner outside the establishment welcomed US military personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be a boon for businesses,\u201d Jones told AFP, saying he was planning to perform some American classics to entertain the troops.<\/p>\n
As the sun set in Pattaya, dozens of Thai police and security forces gathered on a beach walkway, just across from the Hard Rock Hotel where sailors were staying.<\/p>\n
With authorities wary of potential trouble, security has been stepped up in the city.<\/p>\n
The sailors are not allowed to engage in water sports, such as jet-skiing, nor to take advantage of Thailand\u2019s lax cannabis laws, according to Pattaya\u2019s mayor, Poramase Ngampiches.<\/p>\n
Authorities recently cracked down on sex workers in the city, but Poramase denied reports of arrests ahead of the Lincoln crew\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n
Asked about the city\u2019s sordid reputation, Poramase told reporters on Wednesday: \u201cWe have to be honest, that kind of thing still happens in Pattaya.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among illuminated signs advertising a beer garden and a 24-hour cannabis shop, another billboard welcomed US troops at the entrance of Walking Street, one of Pattaya\u2019s red-light districts.<\/p>\n
![\"workers-clean-a-road-next-to-a-sign-of-a-cannabis-shop-in-pattaya-thailand-tuesday-sept-1-2026-ap-photosakchai-lalit\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788379170_525_.jpeg\")
\n Workers clean a road next to a sign of a cannabis shop in Pattaya, Thailand Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
\u2018Food, sleep, water\u2019<\/p>\n
Some US service members, dressed in civilian shorts and T-shirts, were earlier given traditional garlands at a welcome ceremony.<\/p>\n
![\"american-service-members-of-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-strike-group-arrive-at-a-hotel-in-pattaya-thailand-wednesday-sept-2-2026-ap-photosakchai-lalit\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788379171_563_.jpeg\")
\n American service members of USS Abraham Lincoln strike group arrive at a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
They offered few words about their priorities to gathered journalists: \u201cFood, sleep, water.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very, very happy to be here,\u201d commanding officer Captain Dan Keeler told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a well-deserved break for all of the crew.\u201d<\/p>\n
After nine months apart, American Shakeira Fairfax said she couldn\u2019t wait to hug her daughter Jada, a sailor who celebrated her 25th birthday in June aboard the Lincoln.<\/p>\n
![\"new-jersey-resident-shakeira-fairfax-waits-for-her-daughter-jada-a-service-member-on-the-uss-abraham-lincoln-at-a-hotel-in-pattaya-thailand-wednesday-sept-2-2026-ap-photosakchai-lalit\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788379172_59_.jpeg\")
\n Shakeira Fairfax waits for her daughter, Jada, a service member on the USS Abraham Lincoln at a hotel in Pattaya Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
Fairfax travelled to Pattaya from New Jersey, on the US East Coast, to meet her daughter when she finally disembarked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time she was in a confined space for so long. I almost can\u2019t imagine it,\u201d Fairfax said, adding that Jada told her she had three goals in the Thai city: a manicure, a pedicure and a massage.<\/p>\n
\u2018Specially for US Navy\u2019<\/p>\n
The huge nuclear-powered carrier arrived early Wednesday at the port of Laem Chabang, with dozens of warplanes lined up on its flight deck.<\/p>\n
The carrier left California in November for duty in the South China Sea. It was rerouted to the Middle East before US-Israeli attacks on Iran began in February.<\/p>\n
Reports of deteriorating living conditions and poor mental health on board \u2013 including attempted suicides \u2013 made headlines in the United States and provoked criticism of the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n
Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into conditions on the vessel following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises.<\/p>\n
![\"a-motorcycle-taxi-drives-past-a-banner-in-pattaya-thailand-tuesday-sept-1-2026-ap-photosakchai-lalit\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788379172_678_.jpeg\")
\n A motorcycle taxi drives past banner in Pattaya Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
But US President Donald Trump has dismissed the concerns, while acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said last month that a \u201csmall number of mental health cases were treated with no loss of life\u201d.<\/p>\n
Pattaya comes to life at night and, in the hours before the US sailors arrived, the city appeared largely peaceful, with masseuses sitting idly outside their shops waiting for customers. A few foreign tourists were seen sunbathing on the beach.<\/p>\n
One tailor shop posted a sign in its window offering custom clothes \u201cSpecially for US Navy \u2013 Ready in 24 hours\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll give them a special offer, good quality and a quick service \u2013 24 hours or even 12 hours,\u201d said the owner, Islam.<\/p>\n
The mayor said the enlisted Americans could bring in up to 100 million baht (\u20ac2.6 million) during their stay through Sunday \u2013 a boon to the city during low season.<\/p>\n