CHONBURI, Thailand – The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departed Laem Chabang on September 6, bringing an end to a five-day port visit that gave about 5,000 U.S. Navy personnel time to rest, relax and explore Pattaya and surrounding areas. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier began moving away from Laem Chabang at about 11 a.m., after sailors and Marines returned aboard according to schedule. Thai officials and people gathered around the port waved goodbye as the massive carrier slowly left the berth and headed out to sea.
The carrier arrived at Laem Chabang on September 2 following an extended deployment and provided its crew with a much-needed opportunity to rest and recharge. The U.S. Navy said the visit was intended to give sailors and Marines a chance to recover during their scheduled port call. (Navy)
The visit brought thousands of U.S. service personnel into Pattaya and Chonburi, where they spent their shore leave dining, shopping, sightseeing and enjoying recreational activities. Local businesses benefited from the additional visitors during what is traditionally a quieter period for tourism. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet had estimated that the visit could generate around 100 million baht in local economic activity.
Mayor Poramet was among the Thai officials involved in welcoming the carrier’s personnel and supporting arrangements during their stay. Thai authorities, including Pattaya City, Chonburi officials and police, coordinated security and transportation measures to facilitate the movement of sailors between Laem Chabang, Pattaya and other destinations. The carrier was not alone in the visit. Guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. docked in nearby Sriracha, while guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls made a port visit to Map Ta Phut in Rayong.
During an appreciation event in Pattaya on September 4, USS Abraham Lincoln commanding officer Capt. Dan Keeler thanked Thai authorities for their hospitality and assistance. He said he hoped to bring the crew back to Thailand and Pattaya in the future. The USS Abraham Lincoln’s departure marked the close of its scheduled Thailand visit, with the carrier now continuing its journey after five days in Chonburi.
