US Navy landing party coincides with International PingPong Tournament in Thailand After a 286-day deployment, roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln finally pulled into Thailand for five days of liberty. If you have ever served, you already know where this is going. 👀 Pattaya grew into an R&R town during the Vietnam War and never replaced the business model. When word spread that several thousand Americans were inbound after months supporting combat operations against Iran, local officials began preparing for debauchery. Police swept the beachfront before the carrier arrived. Twenty-five people were cited in one prostitution crackdown, including Thai, Lao and Ugandan "presumably" female nationals. When questioned, the Pattaya’s police chief said, “We are doing our best, but it is difficult." Reportedly 40 to 50 detained in the broader operation had become combative. Firing pingpong balls, darts, and loose change at the advancing officers. Luckily they were able to track them by following the jingle and the trail of debris that left the officers with musky fingers and sticky pockets. Charges the reckless discharge are now pending. The Navy appears to be taking a halfhearted approach. A few shady streets, cannabis shops, pharmacies, and water activities were off limits. BUT! Walking Street, Pattaya’s nightlife strip, totally fine until 0200. 😂 So after nine months deployed, the Navy's best plan was no jet skis, no weed, no mystery pills, avoid these three streets, and whatever happens on Walking Street needs to be wrapped up by two. Or at least wrapped up by something... Pattaya’s mayor was already openly calculating the economic impacts. Thousands of Americans after months at sea could dump millions into hotels, restaurants, and bars. They'd spend a lot of money too! 🤔 😂 Some things never change. Navies have had this problem for centuries. Find a port, issue the liberty brief, draw a few red lines, and crucify whoever gets caught. It reminds me of an old Libo brief my First Sergeant used to give. "Remember boys! Flies carry diseases! So keep yours ZIPPED!"