USS Abraham Lincoln departs Thailand after nine months at sea

The USS Abraham Lincoln has departed from Thailand after a five-day stay at the port of Laem Chabang, near Pattaya. The ship arrived in Thailand on Wednesday and was on land for the first time after nearly 286 days at sea.

Almost 5,000 crew members were on board the ship, which set sail from the United States more than nine months ago. The Lincoln's presence in Thailand was seen as an opportunity for the crew to relax and recharge after a long period of operational activity.

Concerns had been raised that returning to the familiar Pattaya, a place that was popular for rest and recuperation (R&R) during the Vietnam War, could lead to incidents among the crew members. Reports indicate that major incidents did not occur, despite a reported drunken altercation.

During its time in Thailand, which began on October 11, the presence of the aircraft carrier in the region drew attention, especially given the lengthy period at sea.