Two US sailors removed from Thai resort town after drunken brawl

Two sailors from the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln were sent back to the ship after a drunken altercation in the Thai resort city of Pattaya, according to local police Anek Srathongyoo.

Srathongyoo said Police were called to a "small scuffle" involving the two sailors near Walking Street, a popular nightlife area, in the early hours of September 3, Euronews reports, citing AFP.

"The sailors were drunk and they were fighting, making loud noise," he noted.

Anek described the incident as "trivial," saying residents contacted police only to prevent the situation from escalating.

The sailors, whose identities were not disclosed, were not charged because "they did not violate any Thai law," Anek added. The US Navy subsequently returned them to the carrier.

The USS Abraham Lincoln's arrival has attracted international media attention following reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the carrier after more than 280 days at sea.

The visit has also drawn renewed attention to Pattaya, a resort popular among foreign tourists and known for its nightlife, including sex tourism. Authorities launched a crackdown on sex workers ahead of the carrier's arrival, although they denied that the measures were connected to the sailors' visit.

Anek outlined that there had been no other notable incidents since the Lincoln docked. A Pattaya masseuse, meanwhile, said the city had been quieter than during previous military port calls.

Nattakamol Chartmontri, who has worked in Pattaya for several years, told AFP that many of the sailors appeared "young, well-behaved and rule-abiding."

Local businesses had expected the carrier's visit to generate significant revenue during the low season. However, Nattakamol, 48, said the expected boost had yet to materialise.

"People on social media are so hyped about (the sailors), but actually, they have not made a significant difference to Pattaya businesses," she clarified.

Last month, Democratic lawmakers in the US called for an investigation into conditions aboard the Lincoln following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises, including attempted suicides.

President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns, which have contributed to criticism of his prolonged war on Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln was subsequently replaced in the Middle East by the USS George Washington.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov