After 286 days at sea, USS Abraham Lincoln crew gets a Thailand break

Nearly 5,000 US sailors and Marines arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, Wednesday, beginning a long-awaited break after spending 286 days at sea during a deployment in the Middle East.

Local officials are also happy, as the town looks forward to an economic boost.

Lincoln’s visit follows months at sea and marks the first break for many of the sailors and Marines aboard since they deployed to support the US campaign against Iran and the blockade of its naval ports.

Pattaya welcomes the crew
Pattaya’s mayor told The New York Times that the city is eager to welcome the sailors “because we are confident they have high purchasing power,” and that they are expected to spend $100–$150 each per day, according to local officials.

Local business owners told The Wall Street Journal that tourism is well below normal for this time of year, as travel disruptions and higher gas prices from the Iran war keep visitors away.

The crew is busy exploring Pattaya’s famous Walking Street, known for its neon lights, bars and restaurants. However, the US Navy has restricted sailors from exploring the seedier side of the town’s notorious nightlife scene.

The sailors are expected to depart for San Diego on Sunday.