Two US Sailors in Custody After "Minor" Bar Fight During Pattaya Port Call

PHNOM PENH, September 9, 2026 – Two U.S. Navy sailors have been detained and confined to their ship after a drunken altercation near Pattaya's Walking Street, just days after thousands of service members arrived for their first shore leave in nine months.

The incident occurred early Thursday morning when a Thai citizen reported two Americans fighting outside a bar at approximately 1:30 AM. Pattaya Police Superintendent Colonel Anek Srathongyoo described the altercation as "minor" but noted both men were intoxicated and the caller feared escalation.

Thai police coordinated with the USS Abraham Lincoln's shore liaison team to transport the sailors to a joint operations centre at the Hard Rock Cafe before returning them to the carrier. Both have been restricted to the ship for the remainder of the port call.

Thai authorities said arrests could follow if the sailors were found to have violated Thai law or involved Thai citizens. The incident came as more than 5,000 sailors and Marines received their first shore leave after more than nine months of deployment.

— Sources: Fossbytes


Reported by The Khmer Daily Network