EXCLUSIVE: Cave saga EXPOSES FLAWS

By PIYAPORN WONGRUANG 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

 

EXPERTS SAY WHILE IT IS NECESSARY TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT, GREATER EMPHASIS MUST BE LAID ON PREVENTION MEASURES

 

THE DRAMATIC Tham Luang cave rescue, a local incident with global-level complexity, has exposed weaknesses in Thailand’s disaster risk management systems that put it to test since the 2006 tsunami, and prompted agencies to examine their response to “unprecedented” tragedies.

 

Thailand had faced a major tragedy in 2006 when the country was hit by the world’s deadliest tsunami, causing the loss of thousands of lives.

 

Flight Lieutenant Atchariya Pangma, secretary-general of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM), explained that when the tsunami hit, Thailand had no disaster risk management systems in place, the situation that he called “a mess”.

After the incident, Thailand introduced two laws concerning disaster prevention and mitigation, and emergency medical services (EMS).

They resulted in two critical directives in dealing with disasters – search and rescue, and the EMS. New mechanisms and scope of authority were also developed and put in place to support the work.

 

Under the 2007 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Law, disasters are defined as both man-made, including terrorism, and natural. If they are security- related disasters, responsibility will be shouldered primarily by the Army. If they are natural disasters, the responsibility would fall under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and the committees appointed under the law.

 

For the first time, the law introduced command structures that followed the model developed by the United States after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, known as the incident command system, Atchariya pointed out.

 

In Thailand, the command structures are divided into four administrative levels – local, provincial, regional and national – to respond to disasters that are categorised as small, medium, large, and extremely large.

 

Atchariya said that the Tham Luang cave incident was supposed to be managed under the local command, but as thousands joined the rescue effort in the first few days following news spread on social media, it caused chaos. Eventually, the operation was put under the authority of the then-governor, Narongsak Osattanakorn, who implemented systematic management control under the disaster law.

 

“It’s not an ad-hoc thing to see the governor taking control of the situation and being appointed as commander of the situation, but it followed the national disaster management plan. That’s why we saw the command system [put in place], with supporting teams working in line with the command. The media interviews were also part of the management,” said Atchariya.

 

Atchariya said the operation was undertaken in two parts: search and rescue by teams including the Navy SEALs working inside and around the cave; and the EMS, with medical teams waiting outside, acknowledged as the safe zone.

 

He said Lt- Colonel Dr Pak Loharnshoon was actually part of the EMS, but he was “a forwarding factor” that could also approach risk zones because of his expertise.

 

Atchariya said the Tham Luang incident demonstrated how well the EMS was ready with systematic medical preparations, including setting-up an area for field medics, where the search-and-rescue and EMS members would come together, medical rehearsals, as well as a short period of time for medical treatment,.

 

However, the limits of the search-and-rescue operation were exposed over time, as the complexity of the cave and natural environment became apparent.

 

Under the disaster prevention law, search-and-rescue personnel are supposed to be operational at every local level, but at present such local mechanisms are still missing.

 

Meanwhile, rescue personnel of agencies such as the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department, though trained, need to improve more of their skills. Forest parks, including ThamluangKhunnam Nangnon Forest Park where the Tham Luang cave is located, still lack appropriate personnel due to budget issues. This point was also admitted by some park officials.

 

Atchariya said that although some new equipment would be required following the incident, it does not mean Thailand must necessarily have sophisticated rescuers. Instead, Thailand should focus on developing a crisis resource management system, under which a pool of professional information can be available.

 

More critically, prevention measures and rescue preparation measures should be boosted, Atchariya said. The sign in front of the Tham Luang cave warning of possible hazards, for instance, did not prevent the children from entering the cave. He said there should be more public education about the risks in everyday life.

 

“I must say that this is a national problem – of having low awareness about risks to our lives. We should seriously address and tackle this area, first and foremost, as prevention is actually the best approach against disasters,” said Atchariya.

 

Rescue and cave experts, such as Prachan Meeboon, the department’s Rescue Division chief, and Chaiyaporn Siripornpaiboon of the Department of Mineral Resources agreed that more needed to be done to educate the public on safety and risks in caves.

 

Chaiyaporn, who has explored caves in the country for more than 20 years, said caves in the country had not been scientifically studied.

About 3,700 caves have been recorded, but only about 2,000 have been identified and located, with 20 of them longer than 10 kilometres. Thamluang is ranked as the country’s fourth longest.

 

To manage caves properly in order to reduce risks, Chaiyaporn said they should be studied first before management, including mapping and zoning, is introduced.

 

Prachan said there are nearly 70 caves located in more than 150 national parks countrywide, and the knowledge about them, which is still much local, would be upgraded. Those in more than hundred forest parks, in addition, are still unknown, he added.

 

Prachan said the department has issued an order following the incident, to set up a cave management committee, under which rescue issues would be addressed.

 

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department deputy chief Kobchai Boonyaorana called the incident “an unprecedented disaster”. He said the department would invite all concerned agencies to draw on the lessons learned in order to develop and put in place a new risk management plan to deal with the disaster.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30350073

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-14

Thailand has more generals than the US....  and they put a Lieutenant in charge of this?  I guess that shows the priority given to emergencies and safety in Thailand!

Sorry to be so cynical, but that phrase is an oxymoron here, unfortunately.

The guy in this position must know the reality of his quote above being implemented is just about zero.

 

I'm seriously all for any sort of education that will increase the population's understanding and awareness of the multiple daily risks.

All governments here have no interest whatsoever, as anything which gives people more understanding is seen by the government as a threat to their position of control.

 

7 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

 

I think that answers your question.

And he is correct. Across the board, in every aspect of their lives, they do not think about the dangers. How many electricians here turn off the power before they start  wiring stuff in? Mine didn't! Too much, Buddha take care for me, and not enough thought.

But folk are in hi-so positions being paid hi-so wages to sort stuff....Why can't they sit down and think, think how to sort stuff...After all, the big noises are paid to sort stuff, but they don't...

one large city in the USA has more equipment, training and experience than all of Thailand combined. 

 

https://www.lafd.org/about/special-operations

 

this is only the city and does not include the county fire department.

 

http://www.lacosar.org/

 

Very sad to say but Thailand is AT LEAST 50 years behind the west.

 

Cancel the subs and buy some real fire/search and rescue equipment and training. 

 

 

Good thing this was not declared a national disaster.
Could you imagine the carnage if Gen Toad took command and demonstrated his usual expertise in things. At least the governor listened to and heeded the advise of foreign experts.

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 He said there should be more public education about the risks in everyday life.

 

 

 

  There should be an entirely different kind of primary, secondary and tertiary education where students are directly involved, allowed to ask their teachers questions, and the useless middle aged rote learning replaced with student-centered learning strategies.

 

What they do not teach in rote learning is the full, well-rounded understanding of the subject. Students copy the answers of a whole English book within an academic school year, but please ask them any questions about the topics. They would not know the answers.

 

Moreover, the no-fail policy has to have an end; nobody wants to repeat a grade, which would be beneficial to all involved.

 

However, wait. Thai schools will not produce better teachers if they do not understand basic principles about education.

 

Only those who have studied abroad seem to understand that, and they do not lose face anymore. 

Clearly there are progressive and competent citizens in Thailand. 

 

Too bad they don't get to govern.

And likely won't, for at least a generation or two. 

24 minutes ago, transam said:

But folk are in hi-so positions being paid hi-so wages to sort stuff....Why can't they sit down and think, think how to sort stuff...After all, the big noises are paid to sort stuff, but they don't...

 Why can't they sit down and think? Thailand has created countless thinkers in the last centuries. Let's start with aeeh.....hmmm.. Somchai. 

But folk are in hi-so positions being paid hi-so wages to sort stuff....Why can't they sit down and think, think how to sort stuff...After all, the big noises are paid to sort stuff, but they don't...

I’d bet they sort their own finances & pensions very well.

 

 

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This 'hero' governor was not in charge of preventative action then? 

8 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

I’d bet they sort their own finances & pensions very well.

 

 

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Perhaps the "hidden" crux of LOS ploblems....

Flaws in Thailand? Must be a misprint.

11 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Flaws in Thailand? Must be a misprint.

Or perhaps an understatement?

edit: Unless it was a misprint and was referring to the cave floor.

 

i'm absolutely certain the tsunami hit thailand in 2004 (dec 26th if you must know the date).

Beat me to it

1 hour ago, transam said:

But folk are in hi-so positions being paid hi-so wages to sort stuff....Why can't they sit down and think, think how to sort stuff...After all, the big noises are paid to sort stuff, but they don't...

Agree, they don't, and IMHO:

 

1. -Because they are not capable of analysis and focused decision making for the situations at hand, because they got the senior job through tea money or by nepotism regardless of the lack of any aligned knowledge, experience, learned high value insight and past well noted impressive performance.

 

2. -Because they're simply not interested in the job / the work / contributing anything of value. 

 

 

 

 

" Thailand had faced a major tragedy in 2006 when the country was hit by the world’s deadliest tsunami, causing the loss of thousands of lives. "

 

Blimey, I must have missed this one. I remember the tsunami disaster in December 2004, but never realised there was one in 2006 as well.

1 hour ago, Chang_paarp said:

Good thing this was not declared a national disaster.
Could you imagine the carnage if Gen Toad took command and demonstrated his usual expertise in things. At least the governor listened to and heeded the advise of foreign experts.

Sent from my SM-A910F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

He (toadie) would at least be aware of the time on a minute to minute basis. 

i'm absolutely certain the tsunami hit thailand in 2004 (dec 26th if you must know the date).

Agree as it was my ‘introduction’ into Thainess!


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Flaws were exposed, but will any constructure changes be considered  let alone changes implemented? 

1 hour ago, irwinfc said:

i'm absolutely certain the tsunami hit thailand in 2004 (dec 26th if you must know the date).

They’ve now corrected their online story to 2004

Seeing as none of the boys or their 'coach' could swim, mandatory swimming lessons at primary school level would be a good start...

Seeing as none of the boys or their 'coach' could swim, mandatory swimming lessons at primary school level would be a good start...

Agree. After hearing about the number of kids drowning in Isaan, I’ve been saying that for years.


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'... I must say that this is a national problem – of having low awareness about risks to our lives.'

 

I assume he hasn't just realised that? It would be more accurate to say that far too many Thais are ignorant of far too many risks, both to their lives and to everyone else's.

 

'Kobchai Boonyaorana called the incident “an unprecedented disaster”.'

 

The tsunami was a disaster. I wouldn't describe twelve kids and an adult getting themselves stuck in a cave as a disaster; more a major incident.
 

4 minutes ago, SimonD said:

Seeing as none of the boys or their 'coach' could swim, mandatory swimming lessons at primary school level would be a good start...

But how many Thai kids would be near or able to attend a swimmable swimming pool or pool?

32 minutes ago, Easy Come Easy Go said:

Kills 10's of thousands every single year, yet this cave incident killed one person. 

Yep. But one who would probably still be alive if not for a tad of irresponsibility on the part of others. 

An off topic troll post attempting to hijack the topic has been removed also replies

29 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Yep. But one who would probably still be alive if not for a tad of irresponsibility on the part of others. 

What's a tad of irresponsiblity, an incorrect sign posted at the cave entrance - yep might have changed the whole outcome. 

1600 mysterious generals lol