PATTAYA, Thailand – The USS Abraham Lincoln is set to return to Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi from Sept. 2–6, marking the aircraft carrier’s third visit to Thailand and its first return in more than a decade. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) previously visited Laem Chabang in 2006 and 2012. Its 2006 visit, from April 20–24, came with three other US Navy vessels — USS Mobile Bay, USS Russell and USS Shoup.
The carrier returned in January 2012, from Jan. 6–10, accompanied by the USS Cape St. George.
Now, in 2026, the USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to return with three accompanying vessels and approximately 5,000 personnel. The visit is intended to provide rest and recuperation for personnel, while also allowing the ships to receive logistical support. The return comes after more than 20 years of major development at Laem Chabang. The port has evolved from a major commercial gateway into a key infrastructure hub for Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and an important regional logistics center.
For Pattaya and Chonburi, the visit is also expected to bring thousands of US personnel into the area during their permitted time ashore, providing an opportunity for restaurants, hotels, shops, transport operators and tourism businesses. The return of the same aircraft carrier offers a striking comparison between two eras. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been back before, but the Laem Chabang it returns to in 2026 is a very different port from the one it knew in 2006.
Beyond the naval visit itself, the latest arrival reflects the long-standing relationship between Thailand and the United States and the transformation of Laem Chabang over more than two decades. The ship has returned. Laem Chabang has changed.
