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Thai cave rescue mission resumes with eight boys and coach still trapped – live Thai cave rescue mission resumes with eight boys and coach still trapped – live
(35 minutes later)
Narongsak for Thai PM?
Governor Narongsak was recently transferred to another province, but his leadership has earned him a continuing role as chief of the rescue mission, as well as calls on social media that he become prime minister. #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/jjg57cpySB
The current incumbent, Prayut Chan-O-Cha, is due to visit the rescue operation later on Monday.
There remains considerable global interest in the rescue attempt despite other distractions this week.
Support for Thai cave rescue mission, now in its second day, spotted inside #London’s Angel tube station #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/zoW01U326A
#พาทีมหมูป่ากลับบ้าน #ถํ้าหลวง #ถ้ําหลวงขุนน้ํานางนอน #ThamLuang #ThaiNavySEAL #ThaiCaveRescue #ThailandCaveRescue #thailandcaves #ThailandCaveKids CR.SISIDEA @ fanpage facebook pic.twitter.com/1elImdN5L7#พาทีมหมูป่ากลับบ้าน #ถํ้าหลวง #ถ้ําหลวงขุนน้ํานางนอน #ThamLuang #ThaiNavySEAL #ThaiCaveRescue #ThailandCaveRescue #thailandcaves #ThailandCaveKids CR.SISIDEA @ fanpage facebook pic.twitter.com/1elImdN5L7
The cartoon above, by the artist Sisidea, is being widely shared on Thai social media. It portrays each of the groups taking part in this operation using animals.The cartoon above, by the artist Sisidea, is being widely shared on Thai social media. It portrays each of the groups taking part in this operation using animals.
According to the illustrator, the leader of the operation, Narongsak Osatanakorn, is the elephant – the elephant being the symbol of Chiang Rai province. He is a white elephant too – signifying the rareness of his leadership abilities, the cartoonist says.According to the illustrator, the leader of the operation, Narongsak Osatanakorn, is the elephant – the elephant being the symbol of Chiang Rai province. He is a white elephant too – signifying the rareness of his leadership abilities, the cartoonist says.
The wild boars are obviously the boys – that’s the name of their football team – while the white horses represent the volunteers. The seals are the Thai navy Seals who are coordinating this operation while the frogs represent the Thai and international divers.The wild boars are obviously the boys – that’s the name of their football team – while the white horses represent the volunteers. The seals are the Thai navy Seals who are coordinating this operation while the frogs represent the Thai and international divers.
The lions are the English divers, the kangaroos, the Australians. The Panda is the Chinese team, the cranes, the Japanese team and the moose are the Swedes. The tigers are the Burmese team and the brown elephants are the Laos specialists. The dogs represent the police and the Iron Man is Elon Musk.The lions are the English divers, the kangaroos, the Australians. The Panda is the Chinese team, the cranes, the Japanese team and the moose are the Swedes. The tigers are the Burmese team and the brown elephants are the Laos specialists. The dogs represent the police and the Iron Man is Elon Musk.
And the birds – the ones flying the opposite direction to everyone else? They would be the media, and the Thai bloggers who have been criticising the operation. Ouch.And the birds – the ones flying the opposite direction to everyone else? They would be the media, and the Thai bloggers who have been criticising the operation. Ouch.
Here’s our latest report on the rescue:Here’s our latest report on the rescue:
Rescue divers have started a second rescue operation to ferry more boys from the northern Thailand cave where they have been trapped for the past 16 days.Rescue divers have started a second rescue operation to ferry more boys from the northern Thailand cave where they have been trapped for the past 16 days.
Divers at the site told the Guardian on Monday morning they were preparing to re-enter the cave where they spent more than eight hours on Sunday guiding four of the 12 trapped boys to freedom.Divers at the site told the Guardian on Monday morning they were preparing to re-enter the cave where they spent more than eight hours on Sunday guiding four of the 12 trapped boys to freedom.
Officials later confirmed the divers had entered Tham Luang Nang Non cave at about 11am local time (5am BST). “At 11am we sent the second team,” said Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation.Officials later confirmed the divers had entered Tham Luang Nang Non cave at about 11am local time (5am BST). “At 11am we sent the second team,” said Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation.
He said the conditions that had triggered Sunday’s operation – declining water levels in the cave, the readiness of rescuers and the physical and mental health of the stranded boys – were the same on Monday morning and the rescue had commenced five hours’ earlier than expected.He said the conditions that had triggered Sunday’s operation – declining water levels in the cave, the readiness of rescuers and the physical and mental health of the stranded boys – were the same on Monday morning and the rescue had commenced five hours’ earlier than expected.
How will the rescue work?How will the rescue work?
Thai authorities confirmed on Sunday that a rescue operation was under way. Eighteen divers entered the cave after water levels dropped significantly.Thai authorities confirmed on Sunday that a rescue operation was under way. Eighteen divers entered the cave after water levels dropped significantly.
The boys and their coach will be brought out one-by-one, with each accompanied by two divers in a process that could continue until at least Monday. A doctor with cave-diving experience earlier went into the chamber and approved them for the operation.The boys and their coach will be brought out one-by-one, with each accompanied by two divers in a process that could continue until at least Monday. A doctor with cave-diving experience earlier went into the chamber and approved them for the operation.
Round-the-clock efforts to pump water out of the cave appear to have paid off with conditions said to be walkable in some parts of the 1.7km passageway between the third chamber and the ledge where the team were found sheltering on 2 July.Round-the-clock efforts to pump water out of the cave appear to have paid off with conditions said to be walkable in some parts of the 1.7km passageway between the third chamber and the ledge where the team were found sheltering on 2 July.
It is unclear whether the boys themselves will need to dive although they have been trained in how to breathe through scuba masks. The death on Friday of Saman Kunan, a former Thai navy seal, starkly illustrated how dangerous any rescue involving diving apparatus could be. Kunan died from a lack of air while replenishing air tanks between the cave’s third chamber and the landmark Monk’s Junction.It is unclear whether the boys themselves will need to dive although they have been trained in how to breathe through scuba masks. The death on Friday of Saman Kunan, a former Thai navy seal, starkly illustrated how dangerous any rescue involving diving apparatus could be. Kunan died from a lack of air while replenishing air tanks between the cave’s third chamber and the landmark Monk’s Junction.
Rescue divers have already fixed guide ropes along the passageways, which would be used to navigate the team out. It is unlikely the boys would carry their own 12-litre air tanks – they are more likely to receive air from a navy diver’s supply.Rescue divers have already fixed guide ropes along the passageways, which would be used to navigate the team out. It is unlikely the boys would carry their own 12-litre air tanks – they are more likely to receive air from a navy diver’s supply.
With further monsoon rains forecast, officials knew the window in which they could launch a rescue operation was diminishing. Another deluge risked stranding the group for months, which would mean drilling a shaft into the cave became the only prospect of rescuing the team before the end of the monsoon season. After Kunan’s death concerns also grew about the quality of air inside the cave.With further monsoon rains forecast, officials knew the window in which they could launch a rescue operation was diminishing. Another deluge risked stranding the group for months, which would mean drilling a shaft into the cave became the only prospect of rescuing the team before the end of the monsoon season. After Kunan’s death concerns also grew about the quality of air inside the cave.
The press briefing has now finished. Here’s what we learned:The press briefing has now finished. Here’s what we learned:
• The rescue operation to extract more boys began on Monday at 11am (5am BST). The same divers who went in on Sunday have been called upon again, but there are no reports on their progress.• The rescue operation to extract more boys began on Monday at 11am (5am BST). The same divers who went in on Sunday have been called upon again, but there are no reports on their progress.
• Officials said that conditions were as good as they were on Sunday, when the first four boys were extracted. They said that the rain yesterday did not affect water levels inside the cave.• Officials said that conditions were as good as they were on Sunday, when the first four boys were extracted. They said that the rain yesterday did not affect water levels inside the cave.
• Officials suggested that the stronger boys would be rescued first and that they could emerge between 7.30pm and 8.30pm local time.• Officials suggested that the stronger boys would be rescued first and that they could emerge between 7.30pm and 8.30pm local time.
• Authorities complained about some of yesterday’s media coverage, saying a drone was flown above the operation. They also claimed media outlets listened to police radio reports.• Authorities complained about some of yesterday’s media coverage, saying a drone was flown above the operation. They also claimed media outlets listened to police radio reports.
• Consideration is also being made about whether parents should be allowed to see the boys who have already been rescued, potentially through a glass door. There must be no physical contact with the boys until the results of blood tests come back. The four boys in hospital are asking to eat pad kra pao (Thai basil chicken).• Consideration is also being made about whether parents should be allowed to see the boys who have already been rescued, potentially through a glass door. There must be no physical contact with the boys until the results of blood tests come back. The four boys in hospital are asking to eat pad kra pao (Thai basil chicken).
Speaking at a press briefing, officials suggested that the stronger boys would be rescued first.Speaking at a press briefing, officials suggested that the stronger boys would be rescued first.
Asked which boys are coming out first he says, “The perfect ones, the most ready ones” #thamluangcave @sloumarshAsked which boys are coming out first he says, “The perfect ones, the most ready ones” #thamluangcave @sloumarsh
The first boy will emerge about four to five hours from the press conference, meaning between 7.30pm and 8.30pm local time #ThamLuangCave @sloumarshThe first boy will emerge about four to five hours from the press conference, meaning between 7.30pm and 8.30pm local time #ThamLuangCave @sloumarsh
Divers went in to extract more boys from the cave on Monday at 11am (5am BST), official reports have confirmed.Divers went in to extract more boys from the cave on Monday at 11am (5am BST), official reports have confirmed.
“The factors are as good as yesterday ... The rescue team is the same team with a few replacements,” Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation said.“The factors are as good as yesterday ... The rescue team is the same team with a few replacements,” Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation said.
He added: “The water level is not worrisome ... Yesterday’s rain did not affect water levels inside the cave.”He added: “The water level is not worrisome ... Yesterday’s rain did not affect water levels inside the cave.”
Second operation commenced 11am #thamluangcave @sloumarshSecond operation commenced 11am #thamluangcave @sloumarsh
Authorities are complaining about some of yesterday’s media coverage, according to the Guardian’s South Asia correspondent Micheal Safi. Reporting from a press briefing, he says that authorities claim someone flew a drone above the operation.Authorities are complaining about some of yesterday’s media coverage, according to the Guardian’s South Asia correspondent Micheal Safi. Reporting from a press briefing, he says that authorities claim someone flew a drone above the operation.
There are also reports that some media have been listening to police radio reports. “This is really wrong,” said Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation.There are also reports that some media have been listening to police radio reports. “This is really wrong,” said Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation.
Consideration is also being made about whether parents should be allowed to see the boys through a glass door, Osatanakorn said. He noted that the four boys who have been rescued (and are in hospital) are asking to eat pad kra pao (Thai basil chicken).Consideration is also being made about whether parents should be allowed to see the boys through a glass door, Osatanakorn said. He noted that the four boys who have been rescued (and are in hospital) are asking to eat pad kra pao (Thai basil chicken).
A media briefing on the progress of the rescue operation is expected to happen soon.A media briefing on the progress of the rescue operation is expected to happen soon.
today’s first press briefing starting now. 🎤 #ThaiCaveRescuetoday’s first press briefing starting now. 🎤 #ThaiCaveRescue
The rescue operation to extract more boys from the cave is underway, official reports have now confirmed.The rescue operation to extract more boys from the cave is underway, official reports have now confirmed.
Thailand’s interior ministry said the same divers who went in on Sunday to take out four boys had also gone in on Monday. There are no reports as of yet on their progress.Thailand’s interior ministry said the same divers who went in on Sunday to take out four boys had also gone in on Monday. There are no reports as of yet on their progress.
On Monday, several ambulances drove by the press centre, a mile from the cave, and a helicopter flew overhead toward the rescue site.On Monday, several ambulances drove by the press centre, a mile from the cave, and a helicopter flew overhead toward the rescue site.
If the divers move at the same pace as they did yesterday, the first boy will not come out for another three hours. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is due arrive at the rescue site at 4pm.If the divers move at the same pace as they did yesterday, the first boy will not come out for another three hours. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is due arrive at the rescue site at 4pm.
Somboon Sompiangjai, 38, the father of one of the trapped boys, has told Reuters that parents were told by rescuers ahead of Sunday’s operation the “strongest children” would be brought out first.Somboon Sompiangjai, 38, the father of one of the trapped boys, has told Reuters that parents were told by rescuers ahead of Sunday’s operation the “strongest children” would be brought out first.
“We have not been told which child has been brought out ... We can’t visit our boys in hospital because they need to be monitored for 48 hours,” Somboon told Reuters. It is unclear how this fits with reports from the Thai health official, that parents would be able to visit their sons tonight.“We have not been told which child has been brought out ... We can’t visit our boys in hospital because they need to be monitored for 48 hours,” Somboon told Reuters. It is unclear how this fits with reports from the Thai health official, that parents would be able to visit their sons tonight.
“I’m hoping for good news today,” said Somboon.“I’m hoping for good news today,” said Somboon.
The sudden rush of activity at the cave site – helicopter and ambulance arriving – might seem like a rescue is imminent.The sudden rush of activity at the cave site – helicopter and ambulance arriving – might seem like a rescue is imminent.
However it is worth pointing out that our reporters were told that as of 9am local time (4 hours ago) rescue divers had not entered the cave, so that would mean a very quick return trip if a group is about to emerge from the cave. But, as I said before, we have had very little official information today. So, we’ll see.However it is worth pointing out that our reporters were told that as of 9am local time (4 hours ago) rescue divers had not entered the cave, so that would mean a very quick return trip if a group is about to emerge from the cave. But, as I said before, we have had very little official information today. So, we’ll see.
The four boys rescued from the Tham Luang caves on Sunday night have been declared in “good overall health” though they are waiting for the results of tests.The four boys rescued from the Tham Luang caves on Sunday night have been declared in “good overall health” though they are waiting for the results of tests.
All four boys safely are being treated at a hospital in Chiang Rai, the nearest major city.All four boys safely are being treated at a hospital in Chiang Rai, the nearest major city.
They have not yet been able to see their families, though a senior health official said they should be able to see them later today as long as there was “no hugging, no touching” until test results were back.They have not yet been able to see their families, though a senior health official said they should be able to see them later today as long as there was “no hugging, no touching” until test results were back.
The rescue operation was scheduled to resume between 7am and 5pm local time today; the coordinator of the rescue efforts said divers needed between 10 and 20 hours to rest and set up for another day’s work.The rescue operation was scheduled to resume between 7am and 5pm local time today; the coordinator of the rescue efforts said divers needed between 10 and 20 hours to rest and set up for another day’s work.
The same divers who rescued the first four boys will also conduct the next operation, Thailand’s interior minister confirmed, as they know the cave conditions and what to do.The same divers who rescued the first four boys will also conduct the next operation, Thailand’s interior minister confirmed, as they know the cave conditions and what to do.
The remaining eight boys and their coach remain underground at the original location near to Pattaya beach.The remaining eight boys and their coach remain underground at the original location near to Pattaya beach.
13 foreign divers and five Thai navy Seals made up the rescue team on Sunday night that brought out the four boys.13 foreign divers and five Thai navy Seals made up the rescue team on Sunday night that brought out the four boys.
When they reached the surface, the divers turned and hugged the boys, who wore full-face scuba masks, after completing the 3.2km journey through the muddy, jagged cave.When they reached the surface, the divers turned and hugged the boys, who wore full-face scuba masks, after completing the 3.2km journey through the muddy, jagged cave.
The operation proceeded much faster than expected due to the walkable water level in the cave after it was launched at 10am local time on Sunday.The operation proceeded much faster than expected due to the walkable water level in the cave after it was launched at 10am local time on Sunday.
It has now been 16 days since 12 boys and their football coach became trapped in the Tham Luang cave network after becoming flooded in while visiting after football practice on 23 June.It has now been 16 days since 12 boys and their football coach became trapped in the Tham Luang cave network after becoming flooded in while visiting after football practice on 23 June.
Our reporter Jacob Goldberg reports that soon after the helicopter was seen landing near the cave site, an ambulance was seen driving toward it and now rain is coming down heavily.Our reporter Jacob Goldberg reports that soon after the helicopter was seen landing near the cave site, an ambulance was seen driving toward it and now rain is coming down heavily.
and now it’s starting to rain a lot. pic.twitter.com/vBKTAEhsATand now it’s starting to rain a lot. pic.twitter.com/vBKTAEhsAT
A helicopter has landed close to the rescue site, says our reporter Jacob Goldberg.A helicopter has landed close to the rescue site, says our reporter Jacob Goldberg.
We don’t know what this means and have been given very little official information today, but Jacob and our other reporters will bring you updates as soon as we have them.We don’t know what this means and have been given very little official information today, but Jacob and our other reporters will bring you updates as soon as we have them.
a helicopter just landed very close to the rescue site. #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/sCFN2rpcpta helicopter just landed very close to the rescue site. #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/sCFN2rpcpt
The four boys who were rescued last night are in good overall health and should be able to see their families later today, according to a key health official.The four boys who were rescued last night are in good overall health and should be able to see their families later today, according to a key health official.
Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, an inspector for Thailand’s health department, said the four boys have undergone a series of tests at Prachanukroh hospital in Chiang Rai.Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, an inspector for Thailand’s health department, said the four boys have undergone a series of tests at Prachanukroh hospital in Chiang Rai.
He told the Thai daily newspaper Kom Chad Lek, that the boys should be able to see close relatives later today after tests were completed, but warned there must be no physical contact until the results of blood tests came back.He told the Thai daily newspaper Kom Chad Lek, that the boys should be able to see close relatives later today after tests were completed, but warned there must be no physical contact until the results of blood tests came back.
“Visitors will only be allowed to meet and talk to the patients,” he said. “No hugging or touching and they [visitors] need to leave a one to two metre distance from the patients until the results of their blood tests come back.”“Visitors will only be allowed to meet and talk to the patients,” he said. “No hugging or touching and they [visitors] need to leave a one to two metre distance from the patients until the results of their blood tests come back.”
Thongchai said doctors were checking to make sure the children are free from serious infections such as leptospirosis and meliodosis.Thongchai said doctors were checking to make sure the children are free from serious infections such as leptospirosis and meliodosis.
Kom Chad Led said the kids have undergone blood tests, lung X-rays and urine tests. One of the concerns is refeeding syndrome, which can affect people who have experienced severe malnourishment.Kom Chad Led said the kids have undergone blood tests, lung X-rays and urine tests. One of the concerns is refeeding syndrome, which can affect people who have experienced severe malnourishment.