Chiang Rai: Search teams ‘making headway’

[steve73]

13 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

The mountain is entirely inside of Thailand and more than a kilometer from the border. With a major highway between the mountain and the border.

According to google maps the main entrance is around 1km from the border (assuming the "pin" to be correct)... obviously it does not show the direction of the cave, but it's possible that it gets closer at some parts.  As a point of interest, the 3-D option give a pretty clear indication of the terrain.

 

https://www.google.co.th/maps/place/ถ้ำหลวง+ขุนน้ำนางนอน/@20.3704579,99.874613,6691m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sTham+Luang+Cave,+Pong+Pha,+Mae+Sai+District,+Chiang+Rai!3m4!1s0x30d6f50b60f5ea49:0xf0ff823de76aafaa!8m2!3d20.3819498!4d99.8488249

 

[LordLeo]

Cavemen knew entering this cave wasn't smart/safe this time of the year...  best scenario possible: all alive but with shellshock. Worst scenario: all dead except for mr deputy coach... ????

[toofarnorth]

6 hours ago, kannot said:

<deleted>!!! WHY??

I am a Penang Gai eater , I think I should go and help  , Unless there are other PG eaters already there , we don't need too many !

[chickenslegs]

3 minutes ago, gaff said:

 

I think it's impossible to summarise.

There are 15 topics relating to this incident. If you take a look at the first few pages of the earlier ones your questions will be answered.

This timeline report may help ... http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/timeline-young-footballers-coach-trapped-mae-sai-cave-chiang-rai/

[bannork]

1 hour ago, eeworldwide said:

Has anyone here heard of the theory that the cave route has been used by drug smugglers from Burma? Allegedly it crosses the border if you know the correct route...... 

Yes. I heard a rumour that the cave was used by drug smugglers from Myanmar. Presumably that leads to the supposition that the boys had stumbled across the smugglers whilst in the cave and could have been taken hostage. 

A wild idea perhaps, but stranger things have happened at sea.

 

[eeworldwide]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

The mountain is entirely inside of Thailand and more than a kilometer from the border. With a major highway between the mountain and the border.

Thats as well as may be. I just asked if anyone here had heard of the theory that the cave has been used by drug smugglers from Burma.

[toofarnorth]

1 hour ago, eeworldwide said:

Has anyone here heard of the theory that the cave route has been used by drug smugglers from Burma? Allegedly it crosses the border if you know the correct route......

Oh good , now we can expect drug smugglers to come along to help , hope they have a work permit.

[duanebigsby]

2 hours ago, kevvy said:

They were from chiang rai ties forum ....

quote...from chiang rai ties.forum....

Thanks to all who assisted, donated and attended the ride to Pong Pha, Mae Sai yesterday. We were able to effectively deliver equipment to aid in the rescue of the 13 still trapped inside the cave network. As we had intended, we did not get in the way of the operation directly searching for them all. Our donations were greatly appreciated by the staff we met at the collection point. We did manage quite a lot of equipment at very short notice, one of our Thai ladies took a car to give us more luggage space.

as they said they did not get in the way ...

I stand corrected Thanks.

[scorecard]

14 minutes ago, gaff said:

 

 

They live nearby, most of them if not all, they've been aware / explored this cave all of their lives but they're fairly young and probably not fully realising the possible extreme dangers, and full of adventure. Who didn't at this age engage in things a little bit dangerous and outside parents comments and lecturing etc?

 

On the other hand considering this place is very dangerous for half the year why is it not totally blocked with solid steel gridwork and gates with serious locks?

 

 

 

 

[eeworldwide]

I wonder what would happen if they couldn't locate the boys.....

[duanebigsby]

1 hour ago, RT555 said:

In any other country... 2-3 DAY MAXIMUM. What a joke. 

You obviously don't read world news. 

[toofarnorth]

16 minutes ago, bannork said:

Yes. I heard a rumour that the cave was used by drug smugglers from Myanmar. Presumably that leads to the supposition that the boys had stumbled across the smugglers whilst in the cave and could have been taken hostage.

A wild idea perhaps, but stranger things have happened at sea.

 

Taken hostage , all 13 , abducted by aliens more likely . lots of alien residents over here.

[johnny49r]

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

lack of cooperation of people who would not move their vehicles for the road to be cleared

One man, one bulldozer, one hour. Problem solved.

[johnsuma01]

OMG with such rescuer "specialists" its better to not be in difficult situation...

Very good organisation !

[jenny2017]

The Border Patrol policemen are now equipped with wireless communication tools that would feed their pictures back live to the top of the mountain, where Veerachai was based, for analysis.

 

    Great news! Let's hope that Veerachai has got a wireless receiver! Welcome to the jung....aeeh 21st century. Why was he based there? Wouldn't it make sense if he'd still be based there? 

[jenny2017]

6 minutes ago, johnsuma01 said:

OMG with such rescuer "specialists" its better to not be in difficult situation...

Very good organisation !

Psst, they've gone high tech now. 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Vehicles barred from entering Tham Luang forest park

By Supee Sangharanont 
The Nation

 

 

Officials have now barred most vehicles from entering the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non forest park to facilitate quick transportation for the stranded footballers, when found, to the Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.
 

The planned transport mode is by helicopter. Planners expect the drive from the cave to the helicopter to take not more than 10 minutes. This means other vehicles must not block the way in front of the cave. 

 

As a result, rescue workers and reporters have now been asked to get off their vehicles at the Mae Sai Garden City Hotel, which is about four to five kilometres from the park, and board shuttle vehicles instead. 

 

“Shuttle services start at 5am,” a driver said, “There are 10 vehicles provided for the purpose. 

 

As volunteers have arranged the services, shuttle is free. 

 

An informed source said authorities were now planning to relocate the press centre out of the forest park’s zone too.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30349037

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Specialist Army doctor on standby to head to ‘Pattaya Beach’

 

 

An Army doctor, certified in special war courses including SEAL, is among the rescue teams ready to enter “Pattaya Beach” where the 13 missing Mu Pa Academy team members are believed to be taking shelter inside a Chiang Rai cave.
 

Colonel Dr Pak Loharachun, the commander of Medical Battalion, Nakhon Ratchasima, arrived at the Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district on Friday.

 

He will be among members of three SEAL groups on standby to dive towards the Pattaya Beach section of the cave.

 

A SEAL team is preparing necessary equipment and guided line to enter the location in preparation for the three SEAL teams.

 

It is reported that the doctor is certified in special courses including special operations, SEAL, commando, airborne delivery and reconnaissance.

 

The missing group has been trapped inside the cave since June 23 after a flash flood hit the area, hampering them from leaving the cave.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30349038

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Authorities trying to stop water from flowing into cave

 

 

As officials are stepping ups effort to drain water out of the flooded passage ways inside Tham Luang cave, another team has been dispatched to search for groundwater sources which are suspected to continuously feeding water into the cave even without rains.

 

The team, acting under the order from Mr Tunya Netithammakul, director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation, has found a spot where an underground water source is likely to be located beneath the Huey Pha Hee creek.

 

Officials dropped some leaves onto the spot in the creek and they were sucked into the water, said Mr Tunya who, however, added that it wasn’t sure this was the source of water which is feeding water into Tham Luang.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/authorities-trying-stop-water-flowing-cave/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

SEAL commander outlines rescue challenges

 

Photo credit: Facebook – Thai NavySEAL

 

The Navy SEAL commander this morning outlined the difficulties and challenges his rescue team will be facing when they begin advancing toward the so-called Pattaya Beach inside Tham Luang cave  where the missing 12 young footballers and their coach are believed to be stranded.

 

Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew said the section separating the target area from chamber 3 where the SEAL unit has established a forward command is still heavily flooded with muddy rain water.  It means the SEAL divers will have to find their way in darkness with the help of flashlights.

 

He estimated that the distance between the newly-set up forward command and Pattaya Beach is about 3 kilometres. The SEAL divers will need to make sure that they have enough oxygen to cover the distance.  Their first task is to put in place a rope to guide direction.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/221904-2/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Navy SEALs making all-out efforts to reach Cave's Pattaya Beach

 

 

Rescue operations are going ahead at full steam in the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province in the hope of saving all 13 members of a local football club who are believed to be stranded inside since June 23.
 

The Royal Thai Navy’s SEALs are now trying to dive through 800-metre-wide body of water to get closer to the “Pattaya Beach” part of the cave. 

The 12 teenage football players and their coach are believed to have retreated to the dry area when flash floods hit the cave.

 

After diving through the waters, the SEALs will reach an intersection. From there, the team will have to go about 1.3 kilometres to reach the Pattaya Beach zone.

 

“There have been many obstacles inside the cave and the water level did not reduce as much as we expected. We are doing our best to overcome them all,” Naval Special Warfare Command chief Rear Admiral Apakorn Yukongkaew said on Sunday.

 

Six policemen from Australia who are highly skilled in cave diving have already reached the cave. All-out efforts are also being made above the cave. Other teams are trying to explore ways to reach the latter part of the cave from other channels such as via passable shafts.

 

At present, one of the shafts is about 60 metres deep and rescue workers are trying to determine if they can go down further. A helicopter is preparing to bring drilling equipment up to a spot above the so-called Pattaya Beach. If it can offer a solution, drilling will begin. The drilling sound, it is believed, can also boost the morale of the stranded youths that help is on the way. 

 

Earlier, several shafts had already been ruled out because detailed analysis showed the rocky exterior was about 1,000 metres thick.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30349035

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

We will not stop until we find them: SEAL chief

 

 

The commander of the Navy SEAL, a special warfare unit playing a central role in the search for the missing 12 young footballers and their coach trapped in Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai, vowed this morning that the rescue mission will continue until they are all found.

 

Speaking to reporters at the daily briefing,  Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew said the SEAL team has now established a forward command at an area known as chamber 3 inside the cave. He estimated that the rescue team is now about 3 kilometres away from the so-called Pattaya Beach where the missing are believed to be taking refuge.

 

He said the SEAL team members will begin diving toward the target area today but admitted that there will be difficulties because of flooding.  “They will have to dive in darkness and having to carry a lot of equipment,” he said.   He added that the rescuers will take with them spare oxygen cylinders and foods for the stranded footballers.

 

“But you can be sure that we will not stop until we find them,” he said.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/will-not-stop-find-seal-chief/

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Mental health team works with families of trapped footballers

By Nisanart Kangwanwong 
The Nation

 

 

A Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (MCATT) was on Sunday working around-the-clock in front of the Tham Luang cave where families of 12 teenage football players and their assistant coach have camped out to hear progress on rescue efforts.

Rescue operations entered day nine on Sunday amid continued hope that the 13 members of the Mu Pa Academy Mae Sai were still alive. 

 

They were last seen entering the Tham Luang Cave on June 23 before flash floods hit. They are believed to be stranded inside, and rescuers have identified two high-potential locations where they may be awaiting rescue.

 

Suan Prung Hospital’s deputy director Dr Paritat Silpakij said on Sunday that the MCATT is focused on easing the stress and worry of the families of team members. 

 

“At this point, all family members have still had relatively good morale,” he said.

 

If the mental state of any family member worsened, they would be sent to a hospital, he added.

 

According to Paritat, there are several risks that may impact the well-being of family members as they continue to camp out in front of the cave. He cited, the hectic crowds, superstitious rituals and reporters’ questions.

 

The MCATT has now asked reporters to not interview family members and to observe the situation from outside the tent where the family members are gathered.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30349041

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-01

[Aussie999]

This cave seems to be getting bigger, by the day, started off 7kms, now 10 kms, when going by the map, "Pattaya" beach is a little over 1km from the cave opening, going by the scale of the map top left corner.

[Basil B]

16 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

• Condolences to the families. These boys are dead and likely expired  within the first day or two. Exposure,  drowning,  lack of oxygen. Not a chance they are alive. This is now a recovery operation. 

I hope you are wrong...

 

 

[jenny2017]

He estimated that the distance between the newly-set up forward command and Pattaya Beach is about 3 kilometres. The SEAL divers will need to make sure that they have enough oxygen to cover the distance.  Their first task is to put in place a rope to guide direction

 

Having very low oxygen levels in the cave, I'm just wondering how the kids could have made it to Pattaya if it's true that they got caught by a flood. If these specialists are having such difficulties, what are the chances of finding survivors? 

If they couldn't make it to Pattaya cave in 8 days? What went wrong? 

 

Edited July 1, 2018 by jenny2017

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, jenny2017 said:

He estimated that the distance between the newly-set up forward command and Pattaya Beach is about 3 kilometres. The SEAL divers will need to make sure that they have enough oxygen to cover the distance.  Their first task is to put in place a rope to guide direction

 

Having very low oxygen levels in the cave, I'm just wondering how the kids could have made it to Pattaya if it's true that they got caught by a flood. If these specialists are having such difficulties, what are the chances of finding survivors? 

Well, there is a lot we don't know. Areas are totally flooded now but we don't know the timing of how that developed so it's possible they saw they were trapped and retreated to a higher ground area while they still could. It's also possible they attempted to escape the first day and all drowned. 

Edited July 1, 2018 by Jingthing

[eeworldwide]

2 minutes ago, jenny2017 said:

He estimated that the distance between the newly-set up forward command and Pattaya Beach is about 3 kilometres. The SEAL divers will need to make sure that they have enough oxygen to cover the distance.  Their first task is to put in place a rope to guide direction

 

Having very low oxygen levels in the cave, I'm just wondering how the kids could have made it to Pattaya if it's true that they got caught by a flood. If these specialists are having such difficulties, what are the chances of finding survivors? 

I agree. Personally I don't think they made it to Pattaya Beach. I think they're in the caves to the north, and I can't understand why they haven't searched there yet. Extremely odd.

[PhuketSarah]

1 minute ago, jenny2017 said:

He estimated that the distance between the newly-set up forward command and Pattaya Beach is about 3 kilometres. The SEAL divers will need to make sure that they have enough oxygen to cover the distance.  Their first task is to put in place a rope to guide direction

 

Having very low oxygen levels in the cave, I'm just wondering how the kids could have made it to Pattaya if it's true that they got caught by a flood. If these specialists are having such difficulties, what are the chances of finding survivors? 

El zilcho. Which is why it is irresponsible  to risk other lives.  Whoever's in charge needs to  make the announcement it's over,  and the task is to  simply attempt to recover bodies.

[KiwiKiwi]

1 minute ago, eeworldwide said:

I agree. Personally I don't think they made it to Pattaya Beach. I think they're in the caves to the north, and I can't understand why they haven't searched there yet. Extremely odd.

 

I guess we'll find out...

 

And I think that'll be quite soon.