Alarm raised over crowding at cave search site

 

Photo by Rachanon Intharagsa

 

Several rescue teams have travelled to Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district to join efforts to find 12 young footballers and their deputy coach who went missing in the flooded limestone cave at the weekend.

 

The search of Luang Cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park is being led by Navy SEAL personnel, who have been joined by teams of experts from universities and ministries.

 

The latest to arrive on the scene last night were Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Tourism Minister Veerasak Kohsurat, accompanied by a pack of reporters.

 

Television broadcasts revealed the site was crowded and busy. Reporters complained of having to make long treks in search of a cellphone signal to send their stories back to base.

 

Chiang Rai authorities have closed roads leading to the cave and told people to stay away from the area so rescue attempts won’t be hampered.

 

Facebook page Kao Sarn Sataranapai (Disaster News) has raised the alarm over potential crowding at the search site. 

 

It said jammed communication lines could pose additional difficulties for the rescue teams.

 

Meanwhile the large number of people at the site would generate sanitation challenges and a potential health risk for rescue workers and volunteers. Medical teams at the site might be overloaded treating cases of stomach ache and infection, as rescue teams lacking in preparation battled heavy rain and jungle conditions.    

 

Another danger flagged up was volunteers who do not have full access to information distributing inaccurate updates on the search that could confuse both relatives of the missing and the public.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30348657

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-26

This is also followed in Europe on the hourly news. I hope they find them soon.

From BBC:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44610972

Create two holding "command centers" away from but near the site-- one for families, one for media.  Have one designated liaison for each, constantly in communication with search area, will notify families/media as soon as they are found or have important news.  No one else (including politicians who will contribute nothing but a photo op about how much they care) allowed anywhere even remotely near unless rescue workers.  Is there a reason they can't do this?  Yes, I know gawkers will still get through here and there, but...

What the hell is the Tourism Minister doing at the site ??  Are they going to make it a tourist attraction later ?  Pathetic Thai person wanting a bit of publicity.

15 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

What the hell is the Tourism Minister doing at the site ??  Are they going to make it a tourist attraction later ?  Pathetic Thai person wanting a bit of publicity.

Perhaps you have missed the fact that, because Thais are not much into spelunking, the tourists are the experts on this Thai cave.  There are no Thais with more expertise, and the tourists, therefore, have become a necessary part of this rescue operation.  The Tourism Minister may have good reason to be there.

1 hour ago, AsianAtHeart said:

Perhaps you have missed the fact that, because Thais are not much into spelunking, the tourists are the experts on this Thai cave.  There are no Thais with more expertise, and the tourists, therefore, have become a necessary part of this rescue operation.  The Tourism Minister may have good reason to be there.

Is the tourism minister a tourist? Even if there are capable tourists who could help, what can a minister do there, on the spot? Answer: Nothing.

 

And the food sellers will be having a field day....the "authorities" here couldn,t organise a p**s up in a brewery ....rant over.

p.s. let us pray after all these shenanigans the youngsters are found safe and well

3 minutes ago, Charlie1 said:

Is the tourism minister a tourist? Even if there are capable tourists who could help, what can a minister do there, on the spot? Answer: Nothing.

 

That all depends on your perspective, perhaps.  If you mean the tourism minister could do nothing in the cave itself, you would probably be correct.  But like wives who support their husbands (moral support) in difficult situations, the presence of a high-ranking official has a motivational value that is difficult to estimate.  I'll never forget the story I once heard of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln who went to the home of one of his generals during the Civil War.  Upon being met by the wife of the general at the door, and told the general was in bed asleep, President Lincoln meekly waited in the living room for hours until the man had rested.  When asked by someone why he, as president, did not request for the man to be wakened to meet him, he reportedly commented something like "If he will win the war for me, I'd be glad to hold his horse."  While I recognize that such meekness on the part of government officials is uncommon in these parts, the "moral support" of those involved is still of value.  However, if the tourism minister is more well connected, perhaps contacts with other foreign experts on this cave's interior layout could be facilitated to provide tangible assistance.  We, who can know only what we have seen in the news, simply do not know what the minister has to offer, and ought not speculate regarding the minister's motives.

The word missing from the report is "circus" as in the whole thing has turned into a media circus. 

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Reporters complained of having to make long treks in search of a cellphone signal to send their stories back to base

True heroes, trekking day in and day out just to get their 15 minutes.

King calls for crowd control at Chiang Rai cave

By Jakrawan Salaytoo 
The Nation

 

 

His Majesty the King has instructed officials to ensure that the crowd gathered outside a Chiang Rai cave does not impede the continuing search for 12 youngsters and their football coach lost inside since Saturday.

 

Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda told reporters at Government House in Bangkok the King shared the public’s concern for the missing party.

 

People flocking to the cave in hope of offering assistance have caused confusion at times, Anupong said, but the scene was expected to be more orderly on Wednesday.

 

Anyone not officially involved in the search would be barred from the cave interior.

 

Anupong has personally visited Luang Cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park with Tourism Minister Veerasak Kohsurat to observe the mission’s progress.

 

He said he believed the 13 missing were safe.

 

Anupong said two search-and-rescue teams were continuing their work, one trekking the mountain atop the cave looking for alternative access points, the other diving through flooded sections of the cave.

 

Persistent rainfall was proving to be a major obstacle, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30348728

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-27

This is so very sad. 

There's not much news on it. But it's been 5 days now. It's not looking good. 

Praying for a miracle. 

24 minutes ago, coulson said:

True heroes, trekking day in and day out just to get their 15 minutes.

They are reporting on a story that you are reading .

4 hours ago, jaiyen said:

What the hell is the Tourism Minister doing at the site ??  Are they going to make it a tourist attraction later ?  Pathetic Thai person wanting a bit of publicity.

..all that urine adding to the rising water levels...i don't suppose they have thought of going to the other end where locals said days ago there was an exit...hope it all turns out well for those involved, students and rescuers.

Edited June 27, 20188 yr by tandor

In the UK there are organized cave, cliff, underwater search, inshore lifeboat and mountain rescue teams, coordinated by the police and coastguard, who make operational plans for every conceivable scenario, and these are exercised regularly with those volunteer teams.

 

What do the police do here for their salaries?

They must ask the US to deploy a team yesterday 

29 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

In the UK there are organized cave, cliff, underwater search, inshore lifeboat and mountain rescue teams, coordinated by the police and coastguard, who make operational plans for every conceivable scenario, and these are exercised regularly with those volunteer teams.

 

What do the police do here for their salaries?

Excellent post but you went wrong at this point --> "In the UK"

12 hours ago, jaiyen said:

What the hell is the Tourism Minister doing at the site ??  Are they going to make it a tourist attraction later ?  Pathetic Thai person wanting a bit of publicity.

Correct, just taking up valuable space.

10 hours ago, sanemax said:

They are reporting on a story that you are reading .

...and complaining about doing something they are getting paid for.

 

In context, it's pretty pathetic.

All those that are non-essential to the search effort should be barred from the rescue site (with the exception of family). 

The media, soothsayers, gov't officials and witch doctors need to back off and let the professionals do what they were trained to do. 

They will live to profit from tragedy another day. 

These kids may not. 

 

Edited June 27, 20188 yr by InfinityandBeyond
Amendment

9 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

In the UK there are organized cave, cliff, underwater search, inshore lifeboat and mountain rescue teams, coordinated by the police and coastguard, who make operational plans for every conceivable scenario, and these are exercised regularly with those volunteer teams.

 

What do the police do here for their salaries?

Fleece the salaries of others, setup road blocks in the most dangerous places and go to sing karaoke at bars in full uniform. That's about all I see them doing. Not fit for purpose.  

Why, Oh Why was the area not sealed off immediately, and only essential emergency services allowed access? It is the same for serious road accidents, or other major incidents in this country, the police never seal off the scene, allowing the world and his wife to gawp, take photos and hamper those trained to assist!

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