Thailand's Pattaya anticipates USS Abraham Lincoln visit following its Middle East deployment

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Thousands of American service members are about to descend on eastern Thailand, as the USS Abraham Lincoln makes a port call near the city of Pattaya, famous for its beaches and nightlife.

The aircraft carrier sailed past Singapore over the weekend on its way back to the U.S. after a lengthy deployment in the Middle East as part of the U.S. war against Iran.

The Lincoln is expected to dock at a port in Chonburi province this week, according to Thai officials.

More than 5,000 American service members are onboard and many are expected to visit Pattaya, according to the city's Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who hopes the port call will boost the local economy. He said destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. will dock at a different port.

“For Pattaya to be seen as an important vacation spot is something that we have aimed for,” Poramet said. “We welcome more visits of the troops in the future, whether for a drill or a vacation, before they go back to the U.S.”

After meeting with American officials Monday, Poramet shared that the service members will be banned from certain recreational activities such as parasailing and marijuana use. Medical cannabis was legalized in Thailand in 2022 and dispensaries have become common in Thai cities.

Poramet said the visit is particularly welcome as international tourism has declined worldwide due to soaring gas prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Government officials are warning local businesses not to overcharge American sailors and there will be a greater police presence in popular areas along Pattaya Beach and the city’s Walking Street, he said.

Pattaya, a popular beach destination about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southeast of Bangkok, is also known for its seedier night scene. In recent years, though, the city has tried to promote its image instead for natural and cultural attractions.

Law enforcements agencies have been ordered to step up security measures to prevent undesirable situations, city police Chief Anek Srathongyoo said.

He said that if any U.S. service members break Thai law, they will be prosecuted accordingly.

Local business owners feeling the tourism slump from the Iran war are eager for the new arrivals — a banner hung over a local bar near a beach reading “Welcome all US military personnel Thank you for your service.”

Some, however, are more skeptical. Somkiet Noree, who runs a souvenir shop on Walking Street, said he knows about the upcoming visit but isn't sure if that will boost sales.

“Pattaya is quiet at the moment,” he said. “I hope they will come here and buy things.”

Bar employee Bualuang Ponok said she has seen American service members stroll Walking Street during past visits, but she doesn't expect many of them will be spending.

“They said 5,000 people will come here, but how many will reach us?" she said, unsure of where service members will choose to go.

Earlier in August, the usually Asia-based U.S.S. George Washington relieved the long-deployed Lincoln in the Middle East.

The Lincoln, one of the U.S. Navy’s largest warships, was part of American efforts in the Iran war, which flared back up over the weekend for the first time in a month.

This deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days, which caused concerns following reports of deteriorating mental health among the crew and shortages of supplies including food and hygiene products.

U.S. President Donald Trump later downplayed these concerns and said that the deployment was “not nearly long enough.”

Thai officials have said the Lincoln will return to the U.S. after its port call in Thailand.

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln sails past Singapore as seen from Batam, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Tourists spend time on a beach in Pattaya, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Boats float by Pattaya beach in Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Workers clean a road next to a sign of a cannabis shop in Pattaya, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A motorcycle taxi drives past a banner in Pattaya, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

DENVER (AP) — Colton Cowser made a spectacular leaping catch above the center-field fence for the final out, robbing Jake McCarthy of a game-winning homer and preserving the Baltimore Orioles' 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

With a runner on second base and two outs in the ninth inning, McCarthy sent a drive to deep center. Cowser raced back and jumped, spreading his legs wide as he banged into the wall and pulled back the ball in his outstretched glove from well above and behind the fence to the right of the 415-foot sign.

After hanging on as he crash-landed onto the warning track, Cowser pumped his arms and shouted in excitement before celebrating with teammates.

Cade Povich pitched five solid innings and Cowser drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh following a 98-minute rain delay at Coors Field.

Baltimore (69-69) has won four straight and six of seven to reach .500 for the first time since taking the first game of a doubleheader against Houston 10-3 on April 30. The surging Orioles moved within a half-game of idle Cleveland in the crowded chase for the last American League wild card.

The Rockies have lost five in a row overall and a franchise-record 10 straight at home, the longest home losing streak in the majors this season.

Play was paused between the fifth and sixth due to heavy rain and lightning.

Blaze Alexander walked to load the bases with one out in the seventh before Cowser grounded into a fielder’s choice that gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Cowser was initially ruled out at first base for an inning-ending double play, but the call was challenged by the Orioles and overturned.

Grant Wolfram (6-2) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the win. Andrew Kittredge earned his ninth save.

Povich allowed five hits and one run.

Following the rain delay, Mark Manfredi (1-1) replaced Rockies starter Tanner Gordon, who allowed one run in five innings. Manfredi walked three and gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings.

Dylan Beavers hit a leadoff double in the Baltimore fifth and scored two pitches later when Samuel Basallo hit a towering double off the wall in right-center.

Hunter Goodman doubled leading off the fourth for Colorado and scored on a two-out single by Jordan Beck to make it 1-0.

Orioles RHP Kyle Bradish (7-12, 4.03 ERA) starts Tuesday opposite Rockies RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-6, 6.61).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Colorado Rockies' Jake McCarthy follows the flight of his fly out to end a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser, left, yells as right fielder Leody Taveras looks on after Cowser robbed Colorado Rockies' Jake McCarthy of a two-run, walkoff home run to end the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser, center, celebrates with first baseman Pete Alonso, left, and right fielder Leody Taveras after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Andrew Kittredge, left, congratulates center fielder Colton Cowser after the Orioles defeated the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso, left, celebrates with center fielder Colton Cowser after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser is congratulated by teammates after the Orioles' victory over the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)