Spock

2 minutes ago, jerry921 said:

It could be that yesterday's press reports that the doctor in the cave chose to send them weakest first were incorrect.

It could also be that nobody happened to mention to the big boss that his plan got changed by the doctor in the cave.

 

It could well be what you say and could as easily be the complete opposite. Until we are officially informed of the official strategy, we are all seemingly just pissing into the wind.

1 minute ago, Spidey said:

The leader of the rescue mission made it quite clear in a press conference, earlier today, that it's their policy to bring out the fittest and most able first.

On Thai TV they just said that the Australian doctor who examined the boys had suggested sending the weakest first rather than the strongest. It's hard to know the truth on this and it also makes no sense to leave the weakest inside the cave. 

3 minutes ago, tropo said:

I understand that, but I don't believe that's the reason for the overnight break. If they had the supply they would have continued IMO. If they needed more divers they would have them. 

Maybe they want to use the same divers because they are the best and most experienced cave divers. Surely the divers can't be expected to turn around and head back in soon after their first trip. It's hardly like going to work a normal job then fronting up again next morning, or being asked to do a few hours overtime at the end of a shift. I would imagine a two way trip, particularly the return trip with a boy who has never dived before in tow, takes a huge physical toll on the divers.

Why so many questions? Why not just accept that events are moving as fast as they can and that every effort is being made to evacuate the boys from the cave? Some people are just never satisfied and have to question everything. Jai yen yen. Accept that you were not chosen for the rescue mission and move on.

3 minutes ago, Johnniey said:

To be honest, I'm not particularly interested in the whole thing. I don't have a TV and rarely read the news. 

We are not all retired here with lots of free time on our hands.

 

There are many other threads and the sole purpose of this one is as stated to follow events as they happen rather than dwell on the details. I guess while there is a bit of downtime in the operation questions can be asked and issues debated, but best not done here. Some of the other threads are full of self opinionated nonsense anyway, and if you are not really interested anyway, why bother searching elsewhere. It's Sunday, so no doubt many expats have more freetime than usual. Plus some of us have found the whole episode quite riveting, hence the interest in the success of today's operation. It will be great to see them all brought safely out. I have been captivated by it since the first film of the 2 Brits emerging from the water and the kids reaction of heartfelt gratitude at being found.

10 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

I disagree, but since neither of us has a kid in the cave, guess we'll have to leave it up to those who do...and the authorities. Had the kids just entered themselves, without an adult, as I think they have before...would it be fitting to blame the eldest? People are naturally adventurous and curious...especially kids. I certainly was/am.  

 

There is a possibility that these kids would not have survived the ordeal had they been on their own. The guy seems like a stand up dude, who put the kids needs first and taught them survival skills. Surely he is remorseful for (allegedly) making a bad decision and putting the kids in danger...but it certainly wasn't intentional and he obviously cares deeply about his team. Besides, he is only 25 y.o., so maybe some leniency and understanding would be best. 

According to I think a BBC report the boys went in there to engrave their names on a wall at the rear of the cave as part of an initiation for the soccer team. I must admit I don't really have a problem with kids enjoying a bit of adventure and fun, particularly given how stiflingly uncreative and serious the Thai education system can be. As you say, let those most affected and the authorities decide whether anyone needs to be held responsible for what happened. At this stage it's all about the courage, cooperation and skill of the rescue. The rest can wait.

1 minute ago, tomazbodner said:

Ah yes, Trump has spoken... well, Tweeted. And responses to it are not kind...

 

 

How many of the divers are American? I have only really heard a lot about the Australian and English divers. Trust Trump to try and take the credit. 

4 minutes ago, GBW said:

No it ïsnt the time the time for your ignorance".

A bit of light humour doesn't exactly go against the spirit of the thread. Give him a break.

44 minutes ago, Easy Come Easy Go said:

I'm going to voice my opinion here, I think it's a valid point nobody is mentioning. 
The adult of the group, the leader. Surely he is accountable for those kids. If you had a kid that went with him, your son, and that son was stuck in a cave for the duration and could possibly die, wouldn't you hold him accountable? On top of that, someone has died because of this, not to mention the monetary cost. I dunno, I don't see why people aren't looking at him in all of this, he was the only adult and thus the guardian of the kids.

If I had a kid in this situation, after literally losing days of sleep wondering the heck that son was, fearing the worse, I would be majorly pi55ed at the adult in the situation, that's for sure 

Supposedly on past visits to the caves some of the boys have concealed their activities from their parents. So you may have a point. Anyway all will be revealed in time. If these cave visits have been done in secret, I wouldn't be too happy, but it is kind of unfair to lay any blame at this stage when the guy can't defend himself. Judged by western standards where there would be consent forms to be signed and other safety factors to be accounted for, his actions would be regarded as reckless. But this is Thailand.

Reporting 6 out now!

There are too many keyboard critics with no knowledge of diving or what has been discussed or achieved behind closed doors and all too ready to criticise all thing Thai. For all we know, foreigners may have been heavily involved in the decision making process. It's a kind of 'damned if you do damned if you don't' scenario for authorities responsible for the decision to take the kids out today. Even the foreign experts have had differing opinions regarding the best means of rescue, and everyone has admitted that cave diving is hardly recommended for young boys who cannot even swim. I imagine there has been a frantic search for shafts that would preclude the need to dive the boys out. In the end, threatening rains and a drop in oxygen levels forced an unpalatable but seemingly necessary risky solution to be applied. 

I just don't get the need for people to criticise Thai authorities on the basis of their very limited knowledge or experience of this kind of scenario. There must be a huge chance some of failure, but you can only admire the courage and skills of the rescuers and empathise with the plight of the children. I will be devastated if any of the boys don't make it out, but at the same time, I have huge faith in the professionalism and dedication of those involved in bringing them out. Good luck to all concerned! 

22 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

This was my instinct when the story first appeared. A lot depends on the coach and how he responded to the first sign of flooding, and where they were in the cave. Unfortunately they could have been drowned very quickly. 

It beggars belief that the coach took the kids into the cave in the first place, so I wouldn't put a lot of hope in his response to the first sign of flooding. Can't imagine they were equipped for caving given that parents seemed unaware that this activity was even on the kids' agenda.

6 hours ago, greenchair said:

Just pay the 700 baht for goodness sake. 

The schools really need this money. 

Take responsibility. 

Why put the school in a position that they have to resort to drastic measures just to get their measly 700 baht term fee. 

Pay out or get out. 

Really can't see how you can even attempt to justify the teacher's actions. However much the school needs the money the child was unnecessarily and cruelly humiliated.