The US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group arrived in Thailand Monday on a week-long visit after crossing the South China Sea.

The US Embassy said in a statement that the visit of the aircraft carrier, which docks at Laem Chabang Port during April 24-29, is part of US Navy port visits that serve as an opportunity to strengthen US-Thai security partnership and advance people-to-people ties.

It said during the visit, the Strike Group flagship USS Nimitz will host a reception to celebrate the 190th anniversary of US-Thai diplomatic relations. “The visit also provides an opportunity for US sailors to explore the local culture and participate in professional engagements and community relations projects,” it said.

According to the statement, the Nimitz Carrier Strike group departed Bremerton, Washington, for a routine deployment in November 2022. Since then, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has participated in several joint and integrated training operations, and conducted multiple port visits with partners and allies across the region.

Radio Free Asia reported that the fleet conducted a trilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy on April 3-4.

It also quoted open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts as saying that that on Saturday, while sailing through Vietnam’s EEZ in the South China Sea, the Nimitz made a dramatic U-turn before heading west towards the Gulf of Thailand.

It said the purpose remains unclear but analysts citing satellite data said the maneuver area was near some of Vietnam’s oil and gas blocks and the Vanguard Bank, a known flashpoint between Vietnam and China.