Story perspectives

Drones Deploy in Pattaya During USS Abraham Lincoln Shore Leave

9/7/2026

Summary

Thai Police Deploy

Thai authorities deployed surveillance drones over Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, and Bali Hai Pier during carrier’s shore leave.
The drones broadcast English safety messages to deter incidents and reassure visitors.
Police organized five teams covering Soi 6, Royal Garden Plaza, Walking Street, Soi Buakhao, and Dongtan Curve.
Two American sailors were returned to the USS Abraham Lincoln after a minor drunken altercation near Walking Street.

Summary

USS Abraham Lincoln Departs

The carrier USS Abraham Lincoln departed Thailand on September 6, 2026 after a five-day port call.
The ship completed a 286-day deployment, including 264 days at sea and 200 days in combat.
About 5,000 sailors and Marines took shore leave in Pattaya for rest, tours and video calls with families.
Contractors began cleaning rust and algae from the carrier’s hull during the stop.
Destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and cruiser USS Robert Smalls docked nearby, with crew spending estimated at $3 million.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1954 Manila Pact that created the US-Thai Mutual Defense Treaty, the two nations have held roughly 40 joint exercises each year and celebrated milestones such as the 2003 Major Non-NATO Ally designation. The 2004 Kitty Hawk Bangkok visit marked the treaty’s 50th anniversary, while the 2026 Abraham Lincoln anchorage in Pattaya reflects the alliance’s shift toward security-focused port calls amid declining U.S. aid.

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Thai Police Deploy

Thai authorities deployed surveillance drones over Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, and Bali Hai Pier during carrier’s shore leave.
The drones broadcast English safety messages to deter incidents and reassure visitors.
Police organized five teams covering Soi 6, Royal Garden Plaza, Walking Street, Soi Buakhao, and Dongtan Curve.
Two American sailors were returned to the USS Abraham Lincoln after a minor drunken altercation near Walking Street.

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