USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors relished their port call to Thailand in several ways; some rode elephants, toured the sights, while
others took part in the festivities of Pattaya Beach, but for one Lincoln Sailor, the port call was a time to reunite with family. Information
Systems Technician 2nd Class Norrandt Sutakul of Lincoln’s Combat Systems Department, born in Bangkok, was able to visit with his
uncle, Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Fleet Adm. Prawit Srisukwatana.
Sutakul was given a tour, Sept. 15, of a local Royal Thai Naval Base, Viharna Sien (a Buddhist museum) and enjoyed dinner, karaoke and
old-fashioned family time.
“I was really surprised to get the call that he wanted to see me,” Sutakul said. “I’m very happy and excited. I haven’t seen him in eight years.”
Sutakul moved to the United States when he was six years old, but during his early childhood he spent a lot of time with his uncle and
his cousin.
“He has a daughter my age so we spent a lot of time playing at his house,” Sutakul said. “But, since moving to the United States, this is
only the second time I’ve seen him. It’s a very special experience.”
Sutakul joined the Navy when his grandfather passed away.
“He was a Commander in the Royal Thai Navy and I wanted to join in honor of him,” he said.
Srisukwatana said the visit was a great experience as well.