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Vernon Unsworth, British Tham Luang Hero, Hospitalised

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I also hope that he recovers soon. What he did was really outstanding! 

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  • Nice of the Thais to still remember him and pay a visit. Wishing him a speedy recovery , hope he’s bounced back from that nasty Musk slander.

  • Are you serious? The man is in the hospital for pneumonia and you want them to potentially expose him to other diseases while he's already in a weakened state?  They're wearing masks to protect him an

  • Will B Good
    Will B Good

    Got to feel for the guy having a nazi call him a pedo.

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A true HERO, for two reasons. Risking his own life to rescue those young guys which many thought was against the odds, and secondly, telling musk, with his crazy submarine idea, to phuck off!

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God Bless for a speedy recovery.

18 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

Would be nice if those officials could show their faces. They're all hiding behind a mask. 

He's most probably in isolation due to the disease he carries (Pneumonia), which can be bacterial, viral or more than likely fungal if he was a Speleologist. I'm surprised they are not gowned up!

Don't you know?

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4 hours ago, NedR69 said:

Never heard of the dude.  Hope is well soon.   But, maybe he's a lil thin-skinned...I mean the guy even had flowers delivered by the police.

It’s common amongst many cultures to deliver flowers to people both males and females who are sick in hospital.

After reading your post I suspect that culture and compassion is something you lack.

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Get well soon Sir. 

 

Reference for those in particular who have never heard of Vernon Unsworth.

He was one of the many prominent brave International and Thai rescuers who saved the young footballers from drowning in a complex cave system when it flooded near Mai Sai in Northern Thailand.  It was international headline news at the time.

 

There is now a new Information Centre near the cave entrance which you can visit. Future generations can appreciate the bravery of all involved.

A large mural depicts all those involved, rescuers and rescued. This was painted by the Thai artist who established the White Temple near Chiang Rai.

 

2 Photos show the mural inside the Centre (Vernon on extreme right) and outside where a statue commemorates the Thai Navy Seal Saman Kunan who sadly died during the rescue.

 

 

image.png.8b799bd04c1b292522481a65dfa3143e.png

 

 

 

image.png.76522585a63faff2d3d01b62b2b7121a.png

 

2 hours ago, roo860 said:

Seems like the idiot is actually you. 

 

 

THAI KING GRANTS ROYAL CARE TO BRITISH CAVE RESCUER IN CHIANG RAI

By Khaosod English -October 7, 2025 7:25 pm

 

I was going to donate to my fellow countryman if needed.

Unlike yourself.

 

Good to see the king has stepped in.

22 hours ago, falangUK said:

Nice of the Thais to still remember him and pay a visit. Wishing him a speedy recovery , hope he’s bounced back from that nasty Musk slander.

That was my first thought as well. Shame he didn't scalp the bigmouth Musk for a few million smackers.

19 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

Would be nice if those officials could show their faces. They're all hiding behind a mask. 

 

   They are in a hospital visiting a sick patient .

Masks would be required 

17 minutes ago, Byron Allen Black said:

That was my first thought as well. Shame he didn't scalp the bigmouth Musk for a few million smackers.

Absolutely 💯 the gobsh!te should have been prosecuted under defamation laws in Thailand 😆 

3 hours ago, Shocked farang said:

It's incredible that Musk found a way to extract attention even from this case. 

💯 incredible and sad 😔 😆 

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From what I have seen and read, he was THE main reason the boys were able to be rescued.  Both due to his knowledge of the caves, and his willingness to get in there and help, but also by convincing the Thai Authorities to bring in the British Cave Divers. Sad that the Thai authorities still tried to do it themselves anyway, and got one of their own killed.  As we all know Thais in authority do not easily accept being told what to do - especially by a non-Thai. That Vernon was able to get that done is the main reason the boys and coach were able to get out alive.  True Hero. As is the men who went in there in the last stage and brought them all out alive.  The World was watching and 100s of millions of people were aware of what was happening - it was a great day for all mankind when they got out. 

He looking not too bad !!

 

Amazing the Thai's care and remember him.  That is part I struggle with.  God Help his insureance comp !!! 

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Wishing Vernon a speedy recovery. 

6 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Very true.

Many locals lost their crops by allowing the flood water to be pumped out of the cave and onto their land.

Great people all of them.

Poor governor lost his job though. Probably for letting foreigners take some credit - very sad.

Wasn't the Governor complicit in the paralysis that led to the caves not having been closed when the meteorological office knew floods were imminent?  The whole incident could have been completely avoided if the caves had been closed immediately the threat was known. Another case of Thai "avoid blame at all costs" culture leading this time to no one wanting to close the caves in case it turned out to be a wrong decision, instead of following proper safety protocols.

On 10/7/2025 at 9:05 AM, Will B Good said:

 

 

Got to feel for the guy having a nazi call him a pedo.

Yes I don't suppose the Nazi ***t will be sending a get well soon card.

Just now, Geoff914 said:

Yes I don't suppose the Nazi ***t will be sending a get well soon card.

 

Too busy buying homes for the homeless, teddy bears for sick children and donating money to the elderly.....if FaceBook is anything to go by......555

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Having watched the detailed tv programme about the rescue is is patently clear why the damn stupid submarine that the Nazi came up with would never have worked. Just attention seeking.

And why hasn't BBC picked up on this? What is Jonathan Head doing?

 

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4 hours ago, IsaanGuy said:

A true HERO, for two reasons. Risking his own life to rescue those young guys which many thought was against the odds, and secondly, telling musk, with his crazy submarine idea, to phuck off!


Actually, Vernon didn’t risk his life inside the cave — he never dived Tham Luang during the rescue — but he was the catalyst who made it all possible.

A British cave explorer living nearby, he had spent years diving and mapping the system, knew it intimately, and urged Thai officials to call in elite cave divers. He personally contacted Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, bringing them to Thailand.
 

When the rescue demanded medical sedation for the six-hour trip to the surface, Stanton and Volanthen called in Dr Richard Harris, an Australian cave-diving anaesthetist.
 

Stanton and Volanthen received the George Medal for Bravery and MBEs, Harris received the Star of Courage and the Order of Australia, and all four — including Vernon Unsworth — were awarded Thailand’s Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.

6 minutes ago, LosLobo said:


Actually, Vernon didn’t risk his life inside the cave — he never dived Tham Luang during the rescue — but he was the catalyst who made it all possible.

A British cave explorer living nearby, he had spent years diving and mapping the system, knew it intimately, and urged Thai officials to call in elite cave divers. He personally contacted Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, bringing them to Thailand.
 

When the rescue demanded medical sedation for the six-hour trip to the surface, Stanton and Volanthen called in Dr Richard Harris, an Australian cave-diving anaesthetist.
 

Stanton and Volanthen received the George Medal for Bravery and MBEs, Harris received the Star of Courage and the Order of Australia, and all four — including Vernon Unsworth — were awarded Thailand’s Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.

Anybody who hasn't watched the tv programme really should watch it. The news reporting at the time didn't really explain how difficult and dangerous the rescue was. But also showed up Musk for the idiot that he is and that he was just attention grabbing.

1 hour ago, PeeJayEm said:

Wasn't the Governor complicit in the paralysis that led to the caves not having been closed when the meteorological office knew floods were imminent?  The whole incident could have been completely avoided if the caves had been closed immediately the threat was known. Another case of Thai "avoid blame at all costs" culture leading this time to no one wanting to close the caves in case it turned out to be a wrong decision, instead of following proper safety protocols.

 

With respect, and for reference (google)

 

The governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osottanakorn, was replaced due to conflict with the national government over the handling of the Tham Luang cave rescue and a separate issue regarding a corruption scandal, though the government claimed the transfer was a routine personnel move. Osottanakorn was seen as a hero for his leadership during the rescue but was transferred to a smaller neighboring province, Phayao, shortly after the crisis.  

 

 

  • Leadership Tensions: 
    Osottanakorn, who was the (very effective) rescue commander, had a public conflict with the national government's Interior Minister, Anupong Paochinda. 
     
  • Perceived Demotion: 
    The transfer to Phayao, a smaller province, was widely viewed as a demotion for the popular and effective governor, despite the government's claims that it was a standard personnel shuffle. 
     
  • Corruption Allegations: 
    Critics also suggested that Osottanakorn was being punished for refusing to approve allegedly corrupt construction projects.
     
     
    For all his tireless work as Rescue Commander, that is why he is also included in the mural, immediately to the left of Vernon. 
     
    Sadly, he trod on someone's toes in Bangkok when they started poking their nose in ! Typical Thai politics.
8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:
20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

and I hope he isn't double charged on his medical bill !!... 

pathetic typical  comments from the usual suspects.

 

8 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Has he got a GOFUNDME up yet?


Outstanding levels of hypocrisy from the forums grade A1 Troll…

 

Asking if he has a ‘GoFundMe’ is sickening  disrespect for someone who’s done so much for Thailand - whereas dual pricing is a fact of life here & fully accepted in hospitals. 
 

I should say “you out to be ashamed of yourself - but cretinous trolls such as yourself one no shame - triggering reactions is your only reason for being on this forum….   Low life… 

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On 10/7/2025 at 12:22 PM, Tomtomtom69 said:

Would be nice if those officials could show their faces. They're all hiding behind a mask. 

And the award for the dumbest quote goes to, Drum roll the 🔔🔚 Tomtomtom69 🙈🙈

  • Popular Post
20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Speedy recovery.....   

 

Its not many of us who can claim that such a difference has been made, particularly in such a manner.

Props to the Thai's for continuing to recognise this.

 

... and I hope he isn't double charged on his medical bill !!... 

 

I think he is getting his medical bill paid for him.  According to Khaosod English, royal patronage has been bestowed upon him.

9 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

This was a stunning rescue and I urge anyone to watch "13 Lives" (Prime) the documentary- no need to watch film dramas - to understand the enormity and severe peril involved against huge odds. Without the involvement of Vernon and the other Brit John Volanthan (a cave diver extraordinaire) this would never have been achieved. That’s not to forget the significant others involved which made this happen and especially the sad death of the Thai navy seal who lost his life in that cave. Even the mass of Thais above ground involved in the significant logistics above ground who did a stunning job selflessly. Speedy recovery sir and a moment to remember Saman Gunan who made the ultimate sacrifice 🙏
Watch the documentary…

 

Please do not forget Rick Stanton's part in the cave rescue.  He and John Volanthen were awarded the George Medal (one of the very few awarded in recent times) by Queen Elisabeth II in the 2019 New Year's Honours List.

5 hours ago, Byron Allen Black said:

That was my first thought as well. Shame he didn't scalp the bigmouth Musk for a few million smackers.

 

He never stood a chance against Musk in a USA Court, sadly.  If only the outcome had been different .....

On 10/7/2025 at 1:05 AM, Will B Good said:

 

 

Got to feel for the guy having a nazi call him a pedo.

 

Yes, a terrible "Nazi" boy that went to a Jewish school in South Africa?  AshkeNAZI?

  • Popular Post
13 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

He actually lives in Chiang Rai? I thought he traveled from the UK back in 2018 but I can't remember.

He has been living in Chiangrai for many years.  Ibelieve he was visiting the Uk durng the rainy season and organised help from there before rushing back to Thailand to lend his knowledge.

19 minutes ago, Maybole said:

He has been living in Chiangrai for many years.  Ibelieve he was visiting the Uk durng the rainy season and organised help from there before rushing back to Thailand to lend his knowledge.

 

ok thanks that could be. I remember the cave rescuers coming from the UK but I didn't consider they actually lived in Thailand.

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