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Thailand cave rescue: Thai government holds press conference - live Thailand cave rescue: no attempt to get boys out tonight, says governor - live
(35 minutes later)
A further update on the reports about the potential involvement of Elon Musk’s firm comes via Jacob Goldberg:
chiang rai governor: “i am the one who invited @SpaceX because my friend works there.”
asked whether he still feels positively about the sotuation, the chiang rai governor said: “the world is perfect.”
The governor, Narongsak Osottanakorn, is asked if he will try to rescue the boys today should the rain begin to fall. No, he says.
They cannot dive at this time.
That concludes the press conference. The governor has left:
bye governor. pic.twitter.com/gpTg4AWyNL
He says the British diver, who came out of the cave at 9pm (local time), reported that the boys were fine.
The governor adds that he speaks to the families every day and asks if they want him to bring out the children right now. He says he wants the minimum risk before attempting the rescue.
If it rains, he says, the authorities “will try” to bring them out.
governor: “if it rains, and the situation is not good, we will try to bring the boys out.”asked if he would leave the boys inside for four months, he laughed.
He is asked why the delay if they have already learned to dive. “Because we would like the minimum risk,” he says.He is asked why the delay if they have already learned to dive. “Because we would like the minimum risk,” he says.
The governor says they will need to “test the plan” once they have decided upon it. He adds that the boys have “already learned” to dive.The governor says they will need to “test the plan” once they have decided upon it. He adds that the boys have “already learned” to dive.
The governor is asked if they will try to bring the boys out tonight, as per earlier reports.The governor is asked if they will try to bring the boys out tonight, as per earlier reports.
We [will] try to set the best plan. If the risk is minimal, we will try. We are afraid of the weather and the oxygen in the cave. We have to try to set the plan and find which plan is the best.We [will] try to set the best plan. If the risk is minimal, we will try. We are afraid of the weather and the oxygen in the cave. We have to try to set the plan and find which plan is the best.
Cold water had been poured on the rumours that an attempt would be made tonight, according to Michael Safi:Cold water had been poured on the rumours that an attempt would be made tonight, according to Michael Safi:
Ben Rayaments is now denying that Belgian report to me - says it is "incorrect" #thamluangcaveBen Rayaments is now denying that Belgian report to me - says it is "incorrect" #thamluangcave
The press conference has begun. My colleague, Jacob Goldberg, is following it.The press conference has begun. My colleague, Jacob Goldberg, is following it.
interior minister just left. chiang rai governor is speaking to press now. #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง #ThamLaunginterior minister just left. chiang rai governor is speaking to press now. #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง #ThamLaung
chiang rai governor: “the boys entered through the front of the cave, they will come out through the front.” #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวงchiang rai governor: “the boys entered through the front of the cave, they will come out through the front.” #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง
We’re still waiting for the press conference to begin, as it approaches midnight in Thailand.We’re still waiting for the press conference to begin, as it approaches midnight in Thailand.
There are unconfirmed reports circulating that the authorities may begin the rescue mission tonight due to fears that forecast torrential rains would further endanger the trapped football team.There are unconfirmed reports circulating that the authorities may begin the rescue mission tonight due to fears that forecast torrential rains would further endanger the trapped football team.
Efforts today to find appropriate locations to drill a shaft down to the stranded footballers were unsuccessful, meaning that the only viable option out is via the tunnels.Efforts today to find appropriate locations to drill a shaft down to the stranded footballers were unsuccessful, meaning that the only viable option out is via the tunnels.
Elsewhere, Elon Musk announced he is in contact with the Thai authorities and has sent a team of engineers from The Boring Company, who will accompany SpaceX employees to aid the rescue effort in Tham Luang.Elsewhere, Elon Musk announced he is in contact with the Thai authorities and has sent a team of engineers from The Boring Company, who will accompany SpaceX employees to aid the rescue effort in Tham Luang.
If the boys successfully make it out in time, the Fifa president has invited them to be guests at the World Cup final in Moscow. What a story that would be.If the boys successfully make it out in time, the Fifa president has invited them to be guests at the World Cup final in Moscow. What a story that would be.
I’ll now be handing over to Kevin Rawlinson who will bring you updates from tonight’s press conference and throughout this evening.I’ll now be handing over to Kevin Rawlinson who will bring you updates from tonight’s press conference and throughout this evening.
Throngs of photographers and journalists sit in wait for the interior minister’s much anticipated, and delayed, press conference this evening. It is 23:11 in Thailand.Throngs of photographers and journalists sit in wait for the interior minister’s much anticipated, and delayed, press conference this evening. It is 23:11 in Thailand.
The scene awaiting the Thai Interior Minister for his much anticipated/delayed press conference this evening @matthabusby #Thamluangcave pic.twitter.com/UICKT8BnEiThe scene awaiting the Thai Interior Minister for his much anticipated/delayed press conference this evening @matthabusby #Thamluangcave pic.twitter.com/UICKT8BnEi
Military officers have put an official banner behind where the interior minister is expected to make his statement. It says: “This conference will be announced by the operations center for the searching for the missing persons at Tham Luang”.Military officers have put an official banner behind where the interior minister is expected to make his statement. It says: “This conference will be announced by the operations center for the searching for the missing persons at Tham Luang”.
Update:: 10.45 The military officers put up an official banner for the press conference. pic.twitter.com/M4NGXIj3AiUpdate:: 10.45 The military officers put up an official banner for the press conference. pic.twitter.com/M4NGXIj3Ai
ITV’s Richard Gaisford has tweeted a video of Thai soldiers rehearsing earlier. He says that the announcement from Thai authorities is imminent.ITV’s Richard Gaisford has tweeted a video of Thai soldiers rehearsing earlier. He says that the announcement from Thai authorities is imminent.
Seems these soldiers rehearsing earlier for #ThamLuang #ThailandCaveRescue may well soon be required for real. An announcement imminent on what #Thai authorities have planned. pic.twitter.com/inKt4Kbx6gSeems these soldiers rehearsing earlier for #ThamLuang #ThailandCaveRescue may well soon be required for real. An announcement imminent on what #Thai authorities have planned. pic.twitter.com/inKt4Kbx6g
People at the rescue site are watching the France-Uruguay World Cup quarter final on a small mobile phone screen as a man gets a haircut in the background.People at the rescue site are watching the France-Uruguay World Cup quarter final on a small mobile phone screen as a man gets a haircut in the background.
France are winning 2-0, by the way (Barry Glendenning is live-blogging that).France are winning 2-0, by the way (Barry Glendenning is live-blogging that).
watching the game, getting a haircut: passing the time before we hear the minister’s announcement ⚽️ ✂️ pic.twitter.com/Bw2AsM3UIWwatching the game, getting a haircut: passing the time before we hear the minister’s announcement ⚽️ ✂️ pic.twitter.com/Bw2AsM3UIW
Belgian media have cited unconfirmed reports that the rescue mission will begin this evening and that a diving team will accompany the boys to the cave’s exit two-at-a-time.Belgian media have cited unconfirmed reports that the rescue mission will begin this evening and that a diving team will accompany the boys to the cave’s exit two-at-a-time.
Ben Reymenants, the Belgian diver who was interviewed on BBC Newsnight on Monday and is reportedly on stand-by for this mission, told Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN):Ben Reymenants, the Belgian diver who was interviewed on BBC Newsnight on Monday and is reportedly on stand-by for this mission, told Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN):
It’s a race against time, because on Sunday heavy rain showers are expected. But we remain positive.It’s a race against time, because on Sunday heavy rain showers are expected. But we remain positive.
We expect that the first two football players will reach the exit today, in the best case scenario.We expect that the first two football players will reach the exit today, in the best case scenario.
It remains a difficult course through a labyrinth of corridors, with lots of diving and climbing.It remains a difficult course through a labyrinth of corridors, with lots of diving and climbing.
But the process is along with the current and the visibility under water is already a lot better.But the process is along with the current and the visibility under water is already a lot better.
Moreover, they do not have to swim a lot, they have an oxygen mask on them and they will almost always be kept on hand by one of the divers.Moreover, they do not have to swim a lot, they have an oxygen mask on them and they will almost always be kept on hand by one of the divers.
In the third corridor there is air for breathing, where they will also be checked by a doctor. Then there is another 1.5 kilometers of climbing and climbing.In the third corridor there is air for breathing, where they will also be checked by a doctor. Then there is another 1.5 kilometers of climbing and climbing.
Reymenants also paid tribute to the Thai diver Saman Kunan who died delivering oxygen underground.Reymenants also paid tribute to the Thai diver Saman Kunan who died delivering oxygen underground.
There are those who would rather not swim in the cave anymore and be replaced. I also knew him myself and dived with him,” says Reymenants.There are those who would rather not swim in the cave anymore and be replaced. I also knew him myself and dived with him,” says Reymenants.
He was very experienced and had a top condition as a triathlete, so the event came unexpectedly.He was very experienced and had a top condition as a triathlete, so the event came unexpectedly.
What has just gone wrong is not yet clear. Maybe he got out of consciousness because of carbon dioxide, his vision was limited, he got a lot of stress or bad air got into his tank. That will have to prove an autopsy.What has just gone wrong is not yet clear. Maybe he got out of consciousness because of carbon dioxide, his vision was limited, he got a lot of stress or bad air got into his tank. That will have to prove an autopsy.
A journalist at the rescue site wears a t-shirt saying ‘Journalism is not a crime’.A journalist at the rescue site wears a t-shirt saying ‘Journalism is not a crime’.
Reporters Without Borders recently condemned the Thai junta’s crackdown on news and information since the military coup in 2014.Reporters Without Borders recently condemned the Thai junta’s crackdown on news and information since the military coup in 2014.
It has urged the international community to take a firmer line with the regime, which has “stepped up online censorship and prosecutions of media outlets in recent months”.It has urged the international community to take a firmer line with the regime, which has “stepped up online censorship and prosecutions of media outlets in recent months”.
According to Freedom House, Thailand has one of the least free medias in the world with authorities banning hundreds of sites in the past four years.According to Freedom House, Thailand has one of the least free medias in the world with authorities banning hundreds of sites in the past four years.
the story of the wild boars, like most important stories, asks you to care about people. if you think journalism can be a crime, you’re just saying you don’t care about certain people. #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง 🐗 ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/yMqNuR4GoIthe story of the wild boars, like most important stories, asks you to care about people. if you think journalism can be a crime, you’re just saying you don’t care about certain people. #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง 🐗 ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/yMqNuR4GoI
Stalls have been set up around the camp to give out food, coffee, toiletries and underwear to anyone that needs it.Stalls have been set up around the camp to give out food, coffee, toiletries and underwear to anyone that needs it.
There’s a true collective spirit at the camp site and everyone appears to be doing what they can to aid the rescue effort.There’s a true collective spirit at the camp site and everyone appears to be doing what they can to aid the rescue effort.
Meanwhile, people have been receiving free haircuts throughout the day.Meanwhile, people have been receiving free haircuts throughout the day.