Chiang Rai cave: Rescuers in race against time

[Sydebolle]

5 hours ago, Fish Head Soup said:

Once this is all over perhaps they could consider installing some sort of permanent guide rope system after the rainy season in caves across the kingdom?

And, while they are at it, maybe close any risky cave for good. Visiting caves is not of survival importance, after all! 

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, greenchair said:

Hoping today will be the day. 

Gosh their hearts are going to sink if they get to pattaya beach and find nobody even went there. 

As I suspect. 

luckily your  " I suspect " counts for nothing and is a bloody useless comment anyway, plus it would seem from the tone of all your posts, you will be overjoyed if your belief is fulfilled.

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, BobbyL said:

I just cannot understand how a group of school kids could have been able to go so far into this cave system, when trained divers and NAVY seals are struggling to do it. 

Are you for real, or just completely devoid of any real smarts - how about if it's explained to you for understanding -

the cave wasn't flooded when the kids went in - now it is - can you understand the difference?

[Cranky]

4 hours ago, Thailand said:

 

 

“This is a very good day for me,” Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said yesterday evening. "

 

This has to be a misquote or taken out of context? I can only see a good day if the boys are found alive, or in a different way at least found.

 

 

I'm sure it was quoted accurately.  So happy for him he had a nice day.

[greenchair]

19 minutes ago, Artisi said:

luckily your  " I suspect " counts for nothing and is a bloody useless comment anyway, plus it would seem from the tone of all your posts, you will be overjoyed if your belief is fulfilled.

What <deleted> you speak. 

I'd be estatic if they were found there. I just don't think they could have made it that far. 

 

[Ragnarok]

From what I’ve heard, the group went there to train as an athletic exercise. This would involve walking and swimming. Water always runs through the cave. They took their flip-flops off and left their backpacks when it came time to swim. Unfortunately it must’ve been like a flash flood in there the afternoon they went in. They biked there so they live nearby. They must have seen the sign many times. Articles also said parents in the area forbid their kids to go in the cave. So it’s not like they were new to the cave or new to the sign. It was all familiar to them.

[KKr]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

Nice idea, but there are usually several entrances known to locals.
In the USA, and also in Europe, there are many beautiful caves that are accessible for tourists, but with a guide only.

[digger70]

5 hours ago, Fish Head Soup said:

Interesting that was actually suggested about 4 days ago by someone in a comment in the Bangkok Post readers comments section after an article about the drilling operations. The reader had said to use 'non poisonous dye' and the comment was shot down by idiots and had about 40 'dislikes'.

That just shows that there are a lot off Know alls Who don't Know what they are talking about,,,, Typical  on this site,,,

[ostyan]

Someone said, that they could not see their own hand in the cave. How could the boys go forward in that cave? Surely, they were frightened, nervous and without a single candle and it is not easy to go ahead even for fully equipped professionals.

 

 

[BobbyL]

2 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Are you for real, or just completely devoid of any real smarts - how about if it's explained to you for understanding -

the cave wasn't flooded when the kids went in - now it is - can you understand the difference?

So a few down pours engulfs the cave in water, yet before that it just happened to be completely clear even in the wet season. 

 

I don't believe it and I stand by my comment that I cannot understand how they could easily go into the cave for KMs without equipment. 

[Artisi]

9 minutes ago, greenchair said:

What <deleted> you speak. 

I'd be estatic if they were found there. I just don't think they could have made it that far. 

 

well be a little more positive, it's just as easy as typing gloom.

[Eric Loh]

With so much water pumping out, some of their belongings or even clues by those trapped should be floated out. I still place my hopes that they will be found intact but hopes fading by the day. Rescue should be coordinated better from day 1.   

[Artisi]

4 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

So a few down pours engulfs the cave in water, yet before that it just happened to be completely clear even in the wet season. 

 

I don't believe it and I stand by my comment that I cannot understand how they could easily go into the cave for KMs without equipment. 

Did anyone say completely clear -- don't think so.

But never mind the semantics - it's irrelevant- the kids are hopefully in there somewhere and hopefully found soon.

[Denim]

2 hours ago, BobbyL said:

If that is the case it is still incredible they were able to navigate there way through with no equipment. 

The route is well marked. It is a famous cave and many people have been inside....some right to the end.

 

Not incredible but definitely risky with the rainy season starting early.

[Henryford]

What i don't understand is why the divers (with unlimited oxygen supplies) can't just go straight to Pattaya beach.

[cardinalblue]

It's been rainy for 2 months....The cave would not be dry....

 

I sure hope the comment about they went in for physical exercise including swimming is not true....How could the head (not assistant) coach allow that practice? He needs to address the comment (take responsibility) or deny it....

[mike324]

5 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

So a few down pours engulfs the cave in water, yet before that it just happened to be completely clear even in the wet season. 

 

I don't believe it and I stand by my comment that I cannot understand how they could easily go into the cave for KMs without equipment. 

they had flashlights when they went in...why is it so hard to understand. The cave is fairly easy to walk in, but not when its flooded hence divers are having a hard time because water is murky, on top of that some spots are pretty tight, so its hard for divers with diving gear to move through. You can easily walk 2-3 kilometers, but not swim in water which you can't see for even 1-2 kilometers before your oxygen tank runs out.  This is why they need to set up back up oxygen tanks every 25 meters for safety reasons. And in the beginning couldn't progress as much as they want. 

 

Do you think they were kidnapped and force into the cave by the coach then?

[stevenl]

I know 2 people diving there as part of the NAVY team, and I know a few businesses here have been sending lots of tanks and other materials there these last days. In general there is an upbeat mood now, feeling we're almost there.

[josephbloggs]

2 hours ago, jossthaifarang said:

I'm willing to bet that billboard was put in place after the fact.. TIT

You're wrong.  Sorry to spoil your Thai bashing fun.

[mike324]

This site has a good update of events from the beginning with some good drawing diagrams showing difficulty with the rescue. Some spots the divers have to dismount their oxygen tanks and before they can squeeze through a spot.

 

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/live-updates-teenager-football-team-trapped-thai-cave/

[steve73]

28 minutes ago, mike324 said:

This site has a good update of events from the beginning with some good drawing diagrams showing difficulty with the rescue. Some spots the divers have to dismount their oxygen tanks and before they can squeeze through a spot.

 

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/live-updates-teenager-football-team-trapped-thai-cave/

Excellent time-line of events... Big Thanks.

[sawadee1947]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

If Thais would see to earn some Baht they would risk lives even sometimes their own

[Hoppyone]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

Maybe having trained tour guides to escort groups into the caves when it’s safe and not allowing entry during rainy season.

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

What i don't understand is why the divers (with unlimited oxygen supplies) can't just go straight to Pattaya beach.

guess reading up a bit on some of the other threads might give you an idea as to why these guy's are slacking-off and not really trying - - - do you really think it's a holiday camp?

[RotMahKid]

17 minutes ago, steve73 said:

Excellent time-line of events... Big Thanks.

Thanks, that's just what I want, just the news and not the comments.

[Coconut Kidd]

57 minutes ago, mike324 said:

This site has a good update of events from the beginning with some good drawing diagrams showing difficulty with the rescue. Some spots the divers have to dismount their oxygen tanks and before they can squeeze through a spot.

 

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/live-updates-teenager-football-team-trapped-thai-cave/

Excellent news source without the bickering peanut gallery. Thanks.

[boooker]

This cave had been a tunnel between Myanmar and Thailand for other reasons in the Golden Triangle locals know the place well.Maybe they never been there after dicovered some......

[TKDfella]

Well, one thing that is good is that many have come together for this rescue mission. With the apparent progress the parents must find it difficult to contain themselves. Providing the team found a place above the water level then there is a good chance of survival as there is no lack of water. However, some here might know if there is a 'higher island' inside as I have never been there.

[jossthaifarang]

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

You're wrong.  Sorry to spoil your Thai bashing fun.

Oh on the contrary, If you read the comment I was relying to. I am actually defending the young souls hold up in a cave, with no knowledge of whether they will be saved or not. Thai bashing No, Thai government bashing more to the point.. We all know how efficient government agencies are in this country.

 

In saying that, I do think they are doing a fantastic job at trying to rescue these little chaps, and am hoping for some good news soon..

[KiwiKiwi]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

Something might happen at this cave complex but apart from that, no lessons will be learned or applied. Sorry to be a harbinger but anyone who's lived here for more than 10 minutes, and has lost the stars in their eyes, knows that Thailand is the hub of shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

 

Pro-active is not what they do unless there's a quid in it.