Chiang Rai governor updates still-grim situation

By Natthawat Laping 
The Nation

 

 

Floodwater was pumped from Luang Cave throughout the night Thursday night, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said, and plans had been adjusted in the search for access holes through the ceiling of the cave where 12 youths and their assistant football coach have been missing since Saturday.

 

Walls of the cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park were being drilled to drain floodwater more quickly, he said.

 

Rescue efforts involving the public and private sectors and British and American experts have been hampered by continuous heavy downpours adding to the muddy floodwater in the dark cave. Narongsak said water was being pumped out to clear the way for the “Plan A” team led by Royal Thai Navy SEALs and including veteran scuba divers from overseas.

 

Meanwhile the “Plan B” team was scouting the mountaintop above the cave looking for alternative accessways.

 

A third team was drilling through cave walls to open another entrance, an operation requiring careful calculations by engineers and a vehicle to move the two-tonne drill into place.

 

“The drilling has to be precise because it’s limestone and we don’t want to affect the cave structure and harm the ones trapped inside,” Narongsak said.

 

Ambulances have been rushing in and out of the site in recent days in practice runs and a helicopter lift is being planned in case anyone on the football team emerges seriously injured, he said.

 

“Last night I was in front of cave until midnight giving instructions. People asked why I had to be there personally, and I said the warlord giving orders keeps the army’s morale up. I told the rescue teams to think of these 12 boys as their own children as they make their plans, so they have the courage to work at full capacity.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30348910

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-29

 

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

“Last night I was in front of cave until midnight giving instructions. People asked why I had to be there personally, and I said the warlord giving orders keeps the army’s morale up

sums  up the hierarchy nicely, now dig  u plebs

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

Ambulances have been rushing in and out of the site in recent days in practice runs

I particularly like this line.

 

I can just imagine the swaggering from the local rescue services absolutely gagging to be noticed.

 

"Turn the lights and siren on again, here's Channel 3. [runs fingers through hair, checks mirror for zits, squeezes a couple of blackheads]"

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Ambulances have been rushing in and out of the site in recent days in practice runs

 

But, it will only take one Somchai to block them on the roads. How are they going to foolproof that?

People are just nasty. 

They are giving an update because the public have taken a special interest in this team of young people. They obviously don't have that much to add other than what's already been said, so he is trying to boost morale and let the public know that everything that can be done is being done. 

For most of the people there it is a waiting game, so why not get active and do some practice runs. It must be horrible just waiting there, and yet they have to be there. 

In case of a miracle. 

Last night I was in front of the cave because the lighting was perfect for a photo shoot. Too many jumping in now to get their pictures taken.

 

The guys attempting the rescue are pros, get out from under!

Best of luck, hopefully a good result in the offing-please.

32 minutes ago, greenchair said:

public have taken a special interest

More of a morbid voyeuristic interest id  say just like a road  crash victim lying on the ground with blood  spurting out!

12 minutes ago, kannot said:

More of a morbid voyeuristic interest id  say just like a road  crash victim lying on the ground with blood  spurting out!

That's unfair and uncalled for. 

I should report you.

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

I particularly like this line.

 

I can just imagine the swaggering from the local rescue services absolutely gagging to be noticed.

 

"Turn the lights and siren on again, here's Channel 3. [runs fingers through hair, checks mirror for zits, squeezes a couple of blackheads]"

Some very unpleasant people on Thai Visa 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Ambulances have been rushing in and out of the site in recent days in practice runs and a helicopter lift is being planned in case anyone on the football team emerges seriously injured, he said.

Jesus. What a way to reassure Families that are on site and already worried and panicking. How bloody stupid. 

2 minutes ago, irishken said:

Jesus. What a way to reassure Families that are on site and already worried and panicking. How bloody stupid. 

Unless he's attempting to prepare people for a negative outcome.

 

I truly hope that all are ok.

31 minutes ago, peterb17 said:

Some very unpleasant people on Thai Visa 

Explain to me then why ambulances need to do flashing light / sirens on "practice runs".

 

I have been to this cave. The road to it is short and flat, around 200 metres.

40 minutes ago, greenchair said:

That's unfair and uncalled for. 

I should report you.

Thats not your  job, I believe they have moderators for that.

That is the "non plus ultra circus"!

A fleet of military grade remote controlled amphibious vehicles to penetrate deep into the cave should have been deployed by now. They can be fitted out with lights, infa-red cameras, and rescue boxes.

What is he doing with his left hand?

Hey come on people all that can be done is being done . we can only hope and pray they find them safe time is running out. just imagine if one of the children was yours . its very daunting for there families. Only hope they can have success and get them out in one piece  ' hats off to all those who are helping . 

3 hours ago, kannot said:

sums  up the hierarchy nicely, now dig  u plebs

Yup, unfortunately. As I have repeated in other forum subjects, this is a feudal society despite what the PM says (there will be 'democracy' Thai style) and the expectations of many. 

 

In the meantime, I just hope they find these kids soon. A rescue is getting closer to recovery every day. 

1 hour ago, kannot said:

Thats not your  job, I believe they have moderators for that.

Any TV member can 'report' posts to the moderators who make any decisions whether to remove the post, give a holiday.....

Unfortunately as we are now approaching their 7th night underground I have to say that even with the best will in the world things are beginning to look decidedly iffy.

 

I hope I am proven wrong, I seriously do, but as each day passes it becomes more apparent that this is very unlikely to end well for everyone.

 

 I am a realist and have to look at the evidence, and in 7 days we have not had one iota of good news, ie: no one has come forward to say that they have a possible location or there is evidence  that they are safely huddled together on a large patch of dry ground, and it could continue raining for months yet, not a good prognosis I know but it is realistic unfortunately.

This guy sums it all up.

1 hour ago, kannot said:

Thats not your  job, I believe they have moderators for that.

If a complaint is made the mods will respond. 

I might well complain. 

Off you go to Coventry. 

7 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Any TV member can 'report' posts to the moderators who make any decisions whether to remove the post, give a holiday.....

his implication was he wants it removed, why he even bothers writing "I should"  I mean dont waste space on the forum just do it if it bothers him that much.

Just now, greenchair said:

If a complaint is made the mods will respond. 

I might well complain. 

Off you go to Coventry. 

Sheesh......... teachers  pet

6 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

This guy sums it all up.

That's just really sad. 

They must be feeling really disheartened by now. 

28 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

...

 

In the meantime, I just hope they find these kids soon. A rescue is getting closer to recovery every day. 

Well, in theory there could be survivors for up to about a month. So no I can't see it transforming into a recovery operation before then unless and until they locate bodies of all of them. That said, the longer it drags and the odds reducing, I can see the intensity waning down before a month. 

Edited June 29, 20188 yr by Jingthing

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I particularly like this line.

 

I can just imagine the swaggering from the local rescue services absolutely gagging to be noticed.

 

"Turn the lights and siren on again, here's Channel 3. [runs fingers through hair, checks mirror for zits, squeezes a couple of blackheads]"

Pure madness and poorly managed from day 1

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Explain to me then why ambulances need to do flashing light / sirens on "practice runs".

 

I have been to this cave. The road to it is short and flat, around 200 metres.

Who says they're running around with strobes and sirens on anyway?

 

4 hours ago, Darcula said:

 

But, it will only take one Somchai to block them on the roads. How are they going to foolproof that?

By practicing with strobes and sirens?

Edited June 29, 20188 yr by NanLaew

Since I live in this town, let me add something that even local Thais brought up - maybe they caused the change -

        why, for the 1st 3 days, did the lead team of marine divers come out of the tunnels every evening, before dark, only to return the following morning to resume at daybreak?   It seems enough locals asked this  - since even they know its always dark inside the cave, that they announced in dramatic fashion: start of around the clock searches.  Was it the overtime that was not approved?  They returned to home / hotel for a meal & night in bed?   

3 hours ago, kannot said:

More of a morbid voyeuristic interest id  say just like a road  crash victim lying on the ground with blood  spurting out!

That’s normal in a country where you find more chalky outlines of human bodies on the tarmac than zebra crossings.