US aircraft carrier departs Thailand after port call

LAEM CHABANG, Thailand: Thousands of United States sailors aboard an aircraft carrier departed from Thailand on Sunday (Sep 6), AFP journalists said, concluding its first port call following reports of deteriorating living conditions on board after nine months at sea.The 5,000-strong crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln docked just north of the resort town of Pattaya, near Bangkok, on Wednesday for five days of rest and recreation after a lengthy Middle East deployment.Amid Thailand's tourism low season, their arrival raised hopes for businesses in Pattaya, a city known for its beaches and nightlife - as well as its seedy reputation as a hub for sex tourism.The Lincoln departed from the port of Laem Chabang, a half-hour drive from Pattaya, at around 11am (12pm, Singapore time), AFP journalists