According to the US MS NOW news website and the UK 'The Independent', on September 3rd local time, two US military soldiers were ordered to stay away from the aircraft carrier after they fought with each other due to drunkenness, just two days after the USS Lincoln arrived in Pattaya, Thailand.
Bangkok Police Chief Srotong Yoo stated that at 1:30 a.m. on the 3rd, Thai police received a report from a local citizen. Two American soldiers belonging to the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier were involved in a physical confrontation outside a bar near a well-known nightlife district in Bangkok.
He said that the incident was classified as a “minor fight,” but the two sailors were drunk at the time. The Thai people who reported the incident feared that if no one intervened, the fight would escalate further.
After the conflict occurred, the Thai emergency dispatch center sent Thai police officers and personnel from the aircraft carrier shore liaison team to the scene. Two American soldiers were taken to a joint disposal center established by the U.S. Navy and Thai local authorities.
Slatoun said that the involved US soldiers were then returned to the aircraft carrier. During the daily meetings between the US and Thai sides, US naval officials informed him that these two soldiers would be restricted from leaving the ship during the remaining time of their stay in the port, and they were not allowed to go ashore.
He stated that Thai police only arrest U.S. military personnel who violate Thai citizens or Thai laws. He mentioned that he has emphasized this point to U.S. naval officials, and believed that the crew of the USS Lincoln is fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
According to Sratongyu, so far, the only security incident involving US military personnel that has been reported by Thai police during this port visit is this one.
Currently, the 5,000 sailors and Marines on the much-anticipated USS Lincoln are undergoing their first shore leave during a deployment cycle that lasts for over nine months. Since February, the crew has been engaged in intense combat operations. Siblings of the sailors have publicly complained about shortages of food and supplies on the ship, low morale, and the physical and mental exhaustion of the personnel, which has led to the ship’s survival conditions being under scrutiny from the outside world.
A source who knows the internal notifications and requested to remain anonymous revealed that before arriving in Thailand, the captain of the USS Lincoln made it clear to the crew that certain areas in Pattaya were off-limits, and activities such as prostitution and marijuana use were strictly prohibited. The crew was also informed that anyone who violated these rules would face the most severe penalties.
Slatongyu said that Thai police have increased patrols at six key locations throughout the city to deal with any incidents that may arise from a large number of US troops arriving on shore. He noted that Pattaya is already a tourist city and has long been accustomed to receiving foreign tourists.
The USS Lincoln is expected to depart from Thailand on Sunday and head back to its home port in San Diego, California, USA.
