Thailand plans extra security measures at 'world famous' cave: PM

[webfact]

Thailand plans extra security measures at 'world famous' cave: PM

 

Police stand guard near the Tham Luang cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's prime minister said on Tuesday extra precautions would have be implemented to safeguard tourists who want to visit a cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped for more than two weeks.

 

The search and dramatic rescue operation to retrieve the 13 from the cave in the northern province of Chiang Rai has attracted global interest and dominated headlines around the world, putting the ThamLuang cave complex firmly on the map.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha warned that safety measures would have to be put in place inside and outside the cave.

 

"In future, we have to monitor the entrance and exit to the cave. This cave has become world famous … we have to install more lights inside the cave and put up signs," Prayuth told reporters in Bangkok.

 

"It's a dangerous cave," said Prayuth, adding that the cave would be closed to the public for a while until "everything is in order". He did not elaborate.

 

A rescue mission was launched on Sunday and four of the boys were brought out that day and four on Monday. Officials hope the last four boys and their coach will all be out on Tuesday.

 

The 12 boys and their soccer coach went missing on June 23 when they were exploring the cave after soccer practice, just before a rainy season downpour flooded the complex.

 

British divers found the 13, huddled on a muddy bank in a partly flooded chamber several kilometres inside the complex on Monday last week.

 

Visitors are advised not to enter the cave during the rainy season because it is known to be prone to flooding.

 

Last week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it planned to promote the Tham Luang cave as a tourist attraction after it featured so prominently in the news.

 

"The cave has become of interest for both local and foreign travelers," Karuna Dechatiwong, TAT director in Chiang Rai province, told media.

 

Mountainous northern Thailand is riddled with caves.

 

Some have become places of Buddhist worship over the years, with Buddha images placed inside.

 

Many have never been explored.

 

(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Pracha Hariraksapitak; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-10

[CGW]

Would this be a gate with a secure lock by any chance?

[Thailand]

Door stable bolted horse?

 

But certainly add a ticket booth for tourists.

[NCC1701A]

"...closed to the public for a while until "everything is in order". He did not elaborate."

 

[Dumbastheycome]

3 minutes ago, CGW said:

Would this be a gate with a secure lock by any chance?

If  common sense prevails there will be  prefabricated  gate  and a  ready mix  concrete truck on standby to lock it in place in anticipation  of  the  brainless wanting  to  "experience the environment". And that  by no means  rules  out  " media hounds" !

[CGW]

1 minute ago, Dumbastheycome said:

If  common sense prevails there will be  prefabricated  gate  and a  ready mix  concrete truck on standby to lock it in place in anticipation  of  the  brainless wanting  to  "experience the environment". And that  by no means  rules  out  " media hounds" !

Could the "media hounds" not be given an exception?  ? 

[Cake Monster]

Does this guy not have a Press Officer that can do a better job ?

[coulson]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

put up signs," Prayuth told reporters

Oh don't worry, there'll be signs up in no time.

[Darcula]

Trying to figure out how to draw a Do Not Enter sign on the cave wall. That's gonna be a tough one without the ability to use modern tools.

[Dumbastheycome]

7 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Door stable bolted horse?

 

But certainly add a ticket booth for tourists.

Rather  too cynical. AS  mentioned  above there are  many  caves which  remain open to the public. Even this one  has a  warning  about  entry  past a  nominated   date. That on this occasion nature  circumvented  the intent of the warning will  no  doubt create  incentive  to "police/control"  entry  to  this now  infamous cave if not  many more.

However  to go with the  cynical perspective this  cave  complex  is  now more  detailed  in  survey than ever  before.

Not  by virtue  of fanatical weekend  Speleologists but   more  by technology  that is  not even  earth bound!

But  due  to  the recent events no  doubt some increase  in  ghoulish interest  will   be attractive.

So  why  not  a  ticket  booth? 

 

 

[Dumbastheycome]

19 minutes ago, CGW said:

Could the "media hounds" not be given an exception?  ? 

Why? Why  have  they  been removed  to a  distance  now? Paparazzi are a  menace. Ambulance Chasers  with  no   humanity.

[Dumbastheycome]

6 minutes ago, Darcula said:

Trying to figure out how to draw a Do Not Enter sign on the cave wall. That's gonna be a tough one without the ability to use modern tools.

Hmmm.  So  you  envisage a  sign  on the  cave  wall and ponder  how  to  make  it. Your  cave  has  no  decorations ?

I am  sure  Thai  personell will provide some  superior  signage outside with  the  tools they   already  have.

 

[Jumper]

I wish I could see this in a more favorable light,

 

But I see today that Thailand plans to make this cave a tourist destination.

 

Really?

 

Can it get anymore crass than that?  Make a buck off anything?

 

This belittles the bravery and sacrifice of the rescuers.  If you want people to visit the site to acknowledge this bravery, make it free for all.

[Chris Lawrence]

Hilton maybe interested Jumper? Turn it into a 5 star hotel?

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, CGW said:

Would this be a gate with a secure lock by any chance?

More likely turnstiles with a secure coin slot!

[Jumper]

7 minutes ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Hilton maybe interested Jumper? Turn it into a 5 star hotel?

Look, I understand that there will be interest in this area.

 

But who should profit?

 

IMHO maybe the rescue organizations who invested money, time and personnel  should get some sort of recompense.

 

Again IMHO the boys and their families should not gain anything from their reckless decision to enter the caves,

 

The boys and their coach made a bad decision, but not a capital crime. They deserved to be rescued.

 

But let's give credit where credit is due.

[Basil B]

Tunnel vision... (please excuse the intended pun)

 

What about the hundreds of other caves in Thailand ???

[kannot]

Why not  just stuff it  full of man made concrete crap and pwetty wibbons and  call it a  "Shrine"..................thats what they do to most caves here.

[Lingba]

security?....in Thailand?...…..am I missing something?

[Rhys]

How about promoting the tour boat company down south.. specializing in the Chinese RMB..

[lamyai3]

Rather than ruin the natural beauty of these caves by putting up large iron gates and concrete constructions out front (what kid has never found a way to climb over a gate?), why not appoint a guard to cover the entrance during the rainy season? This would be a government position and the perfect deployment to an inactive post for someone involved in corruption. 

[sanemax]

4 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Rather than ruin the natural beauty of these caves by putting up large iron gates and concrete constructions out front (what kid has never found a way to climb over a gate?), why not appoint a guard to cover the entrance during the rainy season? This would be a government position and the perfect deployment to an inactive post for someone involved in corruption. 

Yeah......................100 Baht to get in?

[lamyai3]

41 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Yeah......................100 Baht to get in?

Yes, that would happen without question! But how satisfying would it be to read that when some slimeball gets transferred to an inactive post, it didn't mean a cushy desk job, but four months in front of a cave in the rain, on a plastic chair? 

[irwinfc]

it will be more secure, alright. because soon enough, people will have to pay to enter the cave.

 

just light up a stick of dynamite at the cave entrance and forget about it. one can't be too sure. more geniuses (youtubers and attention-seekers, for example) might stop by the cave and think it's cool to ignore warning signs. 

[smedly]

 

14 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand plans extra security measures at 'world famous' cave: PM

yes world "in"famous for all the wrong reason

 

next they'll be selling tickets 

 

shame on them trying turn this very dangerous place where people risked their lives to turn this into a happy ending - shame on them 

 

block it up for good 

[Scott]

A defamatory post has been removed.  

[AhFarangJa]

A lot of comments about Thailand trying to profit from this near disaster, however, no-one has yet mentioned the fact that Hollywood producers are already here looking to make a movie out of it. Who would garner the riches from that I wonder......?

[Colabamumbai]

Close the cave forever, prevent another trajedy.

[elwood]

4 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Rather than ruin the natural beauty of these caves by putting up large iron gates and concrete constructions out front (what kid has never found a way to climb over a gate?), why not appoint a guard to cover the entrance during the rainy season? This would be a government position and the perfect deployment to an inactive post for someone involved in corruption. 

It seems that there was supposed to be an attendant there.

The chief of the National Park and Wildlife Dept. has said "there was a mistake" (Bangkok Post) - no attendant, no barrier.

[JayBangkok]

16 hours ago, Thailand said:

Door stable bolted horse?

 

But certainly add a ticket booth for tourists.

And charge them 10 times the Thai price!