On the evening of August 6, officers from Khao Sok National Park at Ratchaprapa Dam, Surat Thani province, received a report of 22 foreign tourists and two guides who were walking inside and exploring Tham Nam Thalu cave, and had gone missing. The area had suffered heavy continuous rain for hours, which had caused flash floods to surge into the cave,

 

Officials swiftly launched a rescue operation and had successfully located 23 people. These individuals have been taken to rest at the Kraison raft, Pae Ton Toey. However, one guide is still missing, and the authorities are intensifying their search.

 

It is reported that the missing guide jumped into the water, amid strong currents while attempting to lead the tourists out of the cave.

 

File picture for reference only.

 

-- 2024-08-06

 

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Update report on the search for the missing guide.

 

At 03:20 on August 7, the search team discovered the body of the missing guide, Mr Koetdee, aged 37, from Kham Khwang Subdistrict, Warin Chamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The rescue units from Ban Ta Khun and Chiew Lan then transferred the body to Ban Ta Khun Hospital for further examination and autopsy.

 

Additionally it was reported that two tourists with minor injuries were also transported to Ban Ta Khun Hospital for medical treatment.

 

Picture from repsonders

 

-- 2024-08-06

 

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Seems the height of stupidity to venture into a cave prone to flooding when there is heavy continuous rain in the area.

15 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

Seems the height of stupidity to venture into a cave prone to flooding when there is heavy continuous rain in the area.

True, but then, money is everything - until the chase kills you.

RIP kh Koetdee.

Heavy rains and storms predicted all over the country, and this year seems a lot worse, yet still people go and do stupid things as said the money first safety last. 

Boat accidents, drownings, tubing, etc.

Were they Thai tourists or others ?

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Heavy rains and storms predicted all over the country, and this year seems a lot worse, yet still people go and do stupid things as said the money first safety last. 

Boat accidents, drownings, tubing, etc.

Were they Thai tourists or others ?

 

Update report.

 

Khao Sok National Park authorities stated the the injured were two female tourists, a 19-year-old Dutch national and a 23-year-old dual British-Dutch national, who had to be transported by boat from Kraisorn Raft House to the Chiew Lan Subdistrict Municipality Tourist Pier in Khao Pung, Ban Ta Khun District. The journey took approximately one hour. The injured tourists were then taken to Ban Ta Khun Hospital for medical treatment.

The remaining tourists stayed the night, at the Kraisorn Raft House for the night., a bamboo bungalow resort on the lake, which is managed by the national park.

Picture from responders.

Nam Talu Cave flash flood: Thai guide dead, 22 foreigners saved
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Matichon

Khao Sok National Park rangers and rescuers saved a Thai tour guide and 22 foreign tourists from a flash flood while they were exploring Nam Talu Cave in the southern province of Surat Thani. Another Thai tour guide was initially reported missing but was later found dead in the cave.

National park rangers were alerted to the flash flood on the evening of Tuesday, August 6, by a Thai tour guide. The guide believed the flash flood occurred due to heavy rain over the previous two days.

 

The guide explained that rainwater surged down from the mountain forest and into the cave while he and another guide were leading the foreign tourists out. He and all the tourists managed to escape the flood but one guide was swept away.

 

The ranger and rescue team rushed to the scene and took the tour guide and 22 foreigners to a nearby floating accommodation to rest.

Two tourists, a 23 year old Dutch-English woman and a 19 year old Dutch woman, were injured in the incident. One had a knee wound, while the other had a sprained ankle. They were taken to Ban Ta Khun Hospital by boat. The rest of the tourists stayed overnight at the accommodation.

Officers then launched a search for the missing tour guide, later identified as 37 year old Pongyot. They located him in the cave at approximately 3.20am on Wednesday , August 7, but he had tragically drowned. It took officers over two hours to transport Pongyot’s body to Ban Takhun Hospital for an autopsy.

 

Matichon reported a similar incident on October 13, 2007, when eight Thai and foreign tourists died in a comparable flash flood.

 

Due to the past tragedy, the national park closes the Nam Talu Cave during the rainy season, between June and November. Tour guides and tourists are advised to plan their trips carefully and check weather conditions before entering the cave, even outside the rainy season.

 

There is no report explaining how or why the Thai tour guides and tourists entered the cave despite the national park’s annual closure during the rainy season.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-07

 

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20 minutes ago, webfact said:

There is no report explaining how or why the Thai tour guides and tourists entered the cave despite the national park’s annual closure during the rainy season.

Ignorance, and for money, these tour operators have no back up plan to keep their money coming in. If it's closed then any entrances need to be gated and locked and CTV cameras installed to see if anybody has gained unlawful entry. But TIT. 

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

Nam Talu Cave flash flood: Thai guide dead, 22 foreigners saved
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Matichon

Khao Sok National Park rangers and rescuers saved a Thai tour guide and 22 foreign tourists from a flash flood while they were exploring Nam Talu Cave in the southern province of Surat Thani. Another Thai tour guide was initially reported missing but was later found dead in the cave.

National park rangers were alerted to the flash flood on the evening of Saturday, August 5, by a Thai tour guide. The guide believed the flash flood occurred due to heavy rain over the previous two days.

 

The guide explained that rainwater surged down from the mountain forest and into the cave while he and another guide were leading the foreign tourists out. He and all the tourists managed to escape the flood but one guide was swept away.

 

The ranger and rescue team rushed to the scene and took the tour guide and 22 foreigners to a nearby floating accommodation to rest.

Two tourists, a 23 year old Dutch-English woman and a 19 year old Dutch woman, were injured in the incident. One had a knee wound, while the other had a sprained ankle. They were taken to Ban Ta Khun Hospital by boat. The rest of the tourists stayed overnight at the accommodation.

Officers then launched a search for the missing tour guide, later identified as 37 year old Pongyot. They located him in the cave at approximately 3.20pm on Monday, August 7, but he had tragically drowned. It took officers over two hours to transport Pongyot’s body to Ban Takhun Hospital for an autopsy.

 

Matichon reported a similar incident on October 13, 2007, when eight Thai and foreign tourists died in a comparable flash flood.

 

Due to the past tragedy, the national park closes the Nam Talu Cave during the rainy season, between June and November. Tour guides and tourists are advised to plan their trips carefully and check weather conditions before entering the cave, even outside the rainy season.

 

There is no report explaining how or why the Thai tour guides and tourists entered the cave despite the national park’s annual closure during the rainy season.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-07

 

-  Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

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I hope that's a before photo or are the rescue crew having a good laugh ?

 

3 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

I hope that's a before photo or are the rescue crew having a good laugh ?

 

That picture I believe shows the tourists be cared for after being removed from the cave. The rescue crews were still at that time in the cabe, looking for the pictured missing guide.

As we all know from past history, these caves are subject to flash flooding and they are the last place in the world you want to venture during rainy season, especially in a province is wet as Surat Thani. Sorry to hear about the guide, but the tourists should consider themselves very fortunate that they escaped with their lives. 

very sad indeed for the tour guide who was found dead,  presumed drowned ...  his family will miss him as the breadwinner. I hope they can get through the terrible tragedy ....

 

very sad.

RIP tour man.

These caves should not be entered during the rainy season ... anywhere in Thailand.

4 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Seems the height of stupidity to venture into a cave prone to flooding when there is heavy continuous rain in the area.

Except when the alternative is giving back entrance fees.

A new Netflix mini series coming soon........  

they wanted to be in cave rescue part 2 ?

Those guides should be sacked. They obviously have no idea of the risks during the rainy season

The tour operators and guide managers should be kicked out of the shop. 

 

They obviously have no concern for tourists safety and wellbeing.   

They should & would know the risks in entering caves during the wet,  however they flaunt the safety aspect for the money.  

 

 

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

 

Update report on the search for the missing guide.

 

At 03:20 on August 7, the search team discovered the body of the missing guide, Mr Koetdee, aged 37, from Kham Khwang Subdistrict, Warin Chamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The rescue units from Ban Ta Khun and Chiew Lan then transferred the body to Ban Ta Khun Hospital for further examination and autopsy.

 

Additionally it was reported that two tourists with minor injuries were also transported to Ban Ta Khun Hospital for medical treatment.

 

Picture from repsonders

 

-- 2024-08-06

 

- Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

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Thank you Georgealbert for this important article.  

Update report.

 

It is now being reported that the two tour guides were working illegally when taking the tourists into the cave, as it has been closed for annual maintenance from June 1 to November 30.

 

August 7, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, reported that Mr. Kulabon Polwan, Head of Khao Sok National Park, and his team successfully rescued the foreign tourists.and one tour guide. He also stated that he has directed the Park Head to take strict legal action against the tour company for violating the closure order of the cave. The closure is in place due to the annual risk of flash floods during the rainy season.
 

The Director-General emphasised the importance of tour companies and tourists checking for annual and emergency closures of national park attractions, especially during the rainy season when heavy and continuous rain can cause flash floods. He warned that any violations, as in this case, will result in strict legal action against the responsible tour companies.

 

 

-- 2024-08-06

 

- Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

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Where is the Elon Musk torpedo stored?

5 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Where is the Elon Musk torpedo stored?

Don't know, but Vern had a suggestion.

Caves and monsoon season? Where is the common sense?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Nam Talu Cave flash flood: Thai guide dead, 22 foreigners saved
by Petch Petpailin

 

Photo via Matichon

Khao Sok National Park rangers and rescuers saved a Thai tour guide and 22 foreign tourists from a flash flood while they were exploring Nam Talu Cave in the southern province of Surat Thani. Another Thai tour guide was initially reported missing but was later found dead in the cave.

National park rangers were alerted to the flash flood on the evening of Tuesday, August 6, by a Thai tour guide. The guide believed the flash flood occurred due to heavy rain over the previous two days.

 

The guide explained that rainwater surged down from the mountain forest and into the cave while he and another guide were leading the foreign tourists out. He and all the tourists managed to escape the flood but one guide was swept away.

 

The ranger and rescue team rushed to the scene and took the tour guide and 22 foreigners to a nearby floating accommodation to rest.

Two tourists, a 23 year old Dutch-English woman and a 19 year old Dutch woman, were injured in the incident. One had a knee wound, while the other had a sprained ankle. They were taken to Ban Ta Khun Hospital by boat. The rest of the tourists stayed overnight at the accommodation.

Officers then launched a search for the missing tour guide, later identified as 37 year old Pongyot. They located him in the cave at approximately 3.20am on Wednesday , August 7, but he had tragically drowned. It took officers over two hours to transport Pongyot’s body to Ban Takhun Hospital for an autopsy.

 

Matichon reported a similar incident on October 13, 2007, when eight Thai and foreign tourists died in a comparable flash flood.

 

Due to the past tragedy, the national park closes the Nam Talu Cave during the rainy season, between June and November. Tour guides and tourists are advised to plan their trips carefully and check weather conditions before entering the cave, even outside the rainy season.

 

There is no report explaining how or why the Thai tour guides and tourists entered the cave despite the national park’s annual closure during the rainy season.

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-07

 

-  Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

This is also the fault of safety procedures from the local authorities! The caves should be closed and warning signs with fines for anyone entering in Thai and English.  The guides should have known the risk, or were not guides, just ordinary Thais with no experience! There have been enough cave accidents flooding the news for a few years now.  No common sense  on the part of the organizers and the tourists concerned. 

Morons 

Obviously should never have been in there in the first place but great respect for tour guide who lost his life trying to save everyone another Thai hero!

Yet more tourists who deposited their brain at the airport on arrival.

Cave exploring in rainy flood season. Darwinism at its best

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Where is the Elon Musk torpedo stored?

I think it's at the SpaceX warehouse in a Tesla EV trunk.