The boys in the cave: a review for TVF members

[Brunolem]

I just finished reading the book "The boys in the cave" (from Matt Gutman) relating in great detail the events of last June/July in Chiang Rai.

 

It feels like getting out of a mix between a Tom Clancy novel, and a report about the preparation for the Normandy landings in June 1944.

 

From the little information that was broadcasted live, it was impossible to imagine what was happening behind the curtains, and how huge the operation was.

 

In this thread, I focus only on some points of special interest for TVF members.

 

Let's start with a revelation that should give some pause to those who have been relentessly bashing the coach of the Wild Boars for his irresponsibilty.

 

In the early pages of the book, someone is quoted saying "if the rain had come one day later, it would have been me trapped in the cave".

It happens that this someone is no other than Vern Unsworth, the man considered as the one knowing the Tham Luang cave the best...in the world!

Vern Unsworth had indeed planned to go exploring the cave the very next day the boys went in.

So, those who call the coach irresponsible indirectly call Vern Unsworth irresponsible, and indirectly pretend to know better than him when it is safe to visit the cave...or maybe they want to revise their judgement...

 

Staying with Vern Unsworth, we learn that he was staying in Thailand on a tourist visa!

When the prime minister visited the camp, in the middle of the rescue operation, the issue was brought in the discussion, and the prime minister suggested to marry him on the spot with his Thai girlfriend, so that he could get a marriage visa...which he declined!

(the problem was apparently solved later with the Elite visa granted to the rescuers).

 

From what we were able to see on live TV, it seemed that the Chiang Rai governor was the man in charge, coordinating everything.

Well, he was not!

There was no coordination, it was total mayhem until the very last days before the rescue operation started.

And this rescue operation was made possible thanks to two Thai persons: the admiral in charge of the Thai seals, who was humble enough to listen to a very small group of men way below his rank, and the Interior Minister who was very efficient, with a hands on approach, leading him to take decisions in a very difficult situation.

Once the decision made, the whole operation was in the hands of the US special forces, with the British and Australian divers (four guys in all) dealing with the most dangerous part of the mission.

 

Finally, for those who were wondering, the Thai nationality was granted to the three stateless boys and the coach, in August, during a ceremony held by the prime minister, with ten thousand guests!

[canopy]

Fascinating. I hope as many historical facts as possible like these make it into the movie and it stays tied firmly to what really happened without hollywooding for dramatic effect or face saving. Having followed the rescue closely from the beginning, the events just keep becoming more intriguing than I could have imagined as more and more is released.

 

[Burma Bill]

I have just returned from visiting the Tham Luang Cave which is one of several other cave systems in the Tham Luang - Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park. It is certainly an isolated and rugged area among the mountains and forests and I could appreciate just how difficult it must have been for all the rescuers with their specialist equipment. A locked gate now stops people from entering the cave. As expected, there are many tourists visiting the site so the narrow approach lane has been closed to general vehicles and you have to walk, however I saw engineers with surveying equipment preparing for a new road. A Visitor Center was already established before the rescue and now a new museum is being constructed nearby. This will eventually house the fascinating large mural "The Heroes" which is currently stored in a studio/workshop adjacent to the famous White Temple to the south of Chiang Rai. Despite all the hundreds of visitors to the White Temple, I was the only person lucky to have visited and photographed the mural. Entrance to everything was free but no doubt all this will change as Tham Luang becomes a tourist "hot spot". At the moment there is a free make-shift car park at the beginning of the lane to THE cave but please note, it is a leveled field with a raised earth ramp to enter and becomes a quagmire when it rains - your vehicle could get stuck in mud!! Many of the tourists I saw had come to pay homage to Buddha at the shrine, established by the boys parents, for "luck" and to honor the Thai Navy Seal who lost his life by offering flowers. 

[Tarteso]

Nothing writen in the book about Elon’s submarine?

????

[fanjita]

2 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

Nothing writen in the book about Elon’s submarine?

????

Or his subsequent tweets?

[StevieAus]

44 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

I have just returned from visiting the Tham Luang Cave which is one of several other cave systems in the Tham Luang - Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park. It is certainly an isolated and rugged area among the mountains and forests and I could appreciate just how difficult it must have been for all the rescuers with their specialist equipment. A locked gate now stops people from entering the cave. As expected, there are many tourists visiting the site so the narrow approach lane has been closed to general vehicles and you have to walk, however I saw engineers with surveying equipment preparing for a new road. A Visitor Center was already established before the rescue and now a new museum is being constructed nearby. This will eventually house the fascinating large mural "The Heroes" which is currently stored in a studio/workshop adjacent to the famous White Temple to the south of Chiang Rai. Despite all the hundreds of visitors to the White Temple, I was the only person lucky to have visited and photographed the mural. Entrance to everything was free but no doubt all this will change as Tham Luang becomes a tourist "hot spot". At the moment there is a free make-shift car park at the beginning of the lane to THE cave but please note, it is a leveled field with a raised earth ramp to enter and becomes a quagmire when it rains - your vehicle could get stuck in mud!! Many of the tourists I saw had come to pay homage to Buddha at the shrine, established by the boys parents, for "luck" and to honor the Thai Navy Seal who lost his life by offering flowers. 

Not sure what you mean about you being the only person to view the mural.

My wife and I took visitors from Aus to the White Temple at the end of the second week in October.

There were no restrictions on entering the workshops you referred to and there were many people including our group viewing the mural.

We were advised that it was open for viewing by anyone who wanted to see it

[Brunolem]

17 minutes ago, fanjita said:

Or his subsequent tweets?

Actually the whole Elon Musk story is told, from the very beginning up until the famous tweets.

 

Turns out that he didn't make many friends on the site, and that it was not only Vern Unsworth who ran into trouble with him...

[fanjita]

1 minute ago, Brunolem said:

Actually the whole Elon Musk story is told, from the very beginning up until the famous emails.

 

Turns out that he didn't make many friends on the site, and that it was not only Vern Unsworth who ran into trouble with him...

I love Twitter for that reason.  We can argue and visualise.  

[DFPhuket]

I also read the book last weekend (the E-book version is available on Amazon) and found it fascinating. It was a great read. Highly recommended. 

[Brunolem]

23 minutes ago, DFPhuket said:

I also read the book last weekend (the E-book version is available on Amazon) and found it fascinating. It was a great read. Highly recommended. 

I am not sure that the book will be sold in bookstores accross Thailand, considering some political comments in a few chapters, that may not be appreciated.

 

It is almost certain that it will not be translated anyway...

[Nyezhov]

23 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Once the decision made, the whole operation was in the hands of the US special forces, with the British and Australian divers (four guys in all) dealing with the most dangerous part of the mission.

Did it say who the US SOCOM guys were? I was told that it was one of the Seal Teams which was why you never heard about their involvement during the incident itself (except from me, but I wasnt told till thereafter that it was SEALs)

[Brunolem]

1 minute ago, Nyezhov said:

Did it say who the US SOCOM guys were? I was told that it was one of the Seal Teams which was why you never heard about their involvement during the incident itself (except from me, but I wasnt told till thereafter that it was SEALs)

They were not SEALs, but special forces.

It was mostly two of them who were deeply involved in organizing the rescue, and who made the presentations to the Thai authorities.

Once they took over, the cave was "cleaned" of the multitude of people wandering around since the early days, and it was restricted access for only a selected few.

They organized a rehearsal of the rescue one day before it was to start, which was quite a success, bringing out of their tents all the top level Thais including the Interior Minister...

[fanjita]

2 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

They were not SEALs, but special forces.

I was special forces but have to consider my words.  Let's just say that you wouldn't argue with my squadron.

[Nyezhov]

4 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

They were not SEALs, but special forces.

SEALs are Special Forces. If its a nebulous description did they mention any ranks? Im just curious to see if I have been told BS or not.

[Nyezhov]

2 minutes ago, fanjita said:

I was special forces but have to consider my words.  Let's just say that you wouldn't argue with my squadron.

usually when water is involved its SEALs or SBS in british lingo

[Brunolem]

2 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

SEALs are Special Forces. If its a nebulous description did they mention any ranks? Im just curious to see if I have been told BS or not.

Of the two main characters, one is a major and the other a master sergeant.

 

I understand that they were part of the Air Force, so probably not SEALs, unless they wanted to be there incognito...

[Nyezhov]

3 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Of the two main characters, one is a major and the other a master sergeant.

 

I understand that they were part of the Air Force, so probably not SEALs, unless they wanted to be there incognito...

AirForce Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) and Pararescue (PJ) out of Kadena AFB in Okinawa. The toughest of the tough, they are more savers than shooters. I sort of figured my bud was wrong, altho CROs and PJs do cross train and cross attach and CROs and PJs are all combat divers.

 

I hear the graduation rate for that Program is like 15%, 85% dont make it????????. 

 

Too much for me. I give myself medals when I can get up off the couch to open another can of Pringles.

[Burma Bill]

16 hours ago, StevieAus said:

Not sure what you mean about you being the only person to view the mural.

My wife and I took visitors from Aus to the White Temple at the end of the second week in October.

There were no restrictions on entering the workshops you referred to and there were many people including our group viewing the mural.

We were advised that it was open for viewing by anyone who wanted to see it

Sorry for the confusion. When I visited there were no persons at the workshops - only the craftsmen. Whatever, I hope you enjoyed your visit. Have a nice day.