US carrier George HW Bush arrives in Thailand after Middle East deployment: Key points

The US aircraft carrier George HW Bush arrived off Thailand’s resort island of Phuket on Sunday with about 4,800 personnel aboard for a rest-and-recreation break after months of supporting US military operations in the Middle East.The Nimitz-class carrier had been operating in the Arabian Sea during the conflict with Iran, according to a Reuters report.The carrier will remain anchored offshore, while its crew is expected to come ashore through Phuket Deep Sea Port and spend time on the popular southern resort island from October 4 to 9, local media reported.Thailand is the US’ only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia.Carrier visit follows Abraham Lincoln’s Thailand port callThe visit comes about a month after another US carrier, Abraham Lincoln, made a five-day port call at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand, carrying around 5,000 sailors and Marines.During that visit, a local mayor estimated that each US service member could spend up to 3,000 baht ($89) a day, potentially giving a boost to local businesses.The visit also highlights the longstanding military ties between Washington and Bangkok. Thailand is the United States’ only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.