To be glued to the news of the Thai cave rescue

[Zebraantelopegiraffe]

Sorry if there has already been a thread

I just can’t stop watching - those brave, brave kids and the amazing people risking their own lives to get them out. When you see the news of all the awful things people do to other people, then a story like this comes along and it makes you realise how bloody fantastic people really are!!

I can't wait to hear that all thirteen have emerged safely.

It's wonderful that so many people are there at the caves, just dedicated to making this happen.

So sad about the diver who died.

I've been moved to tears today (again) but so delighted that they've been able to bring so many out and so quickly. I really did think they were all going to be stuck there. Please let them all be safe. RIP to Samarn Kunan - the retired Navy Seal. They may yet be able to take up Fifa's offer of tickets to the world cup final - wouldn't that be absolutely brilliant, although I expect they're too frail, physically and mentally to cope with that so soon. Testament to how bloody tough human beings can be and how amazing humanity can be when we pull together and stop trying to kill each other.

I hope they don't sue the football coach. It was a mistake, not intentional and he has suffered enough. For God's sake, he might not even escape with his life. People need to use their brains.

Kittichok Kankeaw, a teammate of Nattawut Takamsai, one of the trapped boys, said he would try to assist his friend to catch up at school. “I can help him with his homework,” he said

Copied and pasted from one of the articles. I thought it was really sweet. Seems we really are the only ones talking law suits and blame. Everyone else just trying to do their bit.

Anywhere wet and damp is going to have all sorts of bacteria - you can get lymes disease just from falling off a punt on the Cam. I'd be surprised if they weren't really poorly from drinking the water. Lets hope they recover quickly.

I think it's important to note that a number of the news reports have stated that the coach and boys were forced further back into the caves by the rising waters - it's not like they said "gee let's see how far into the caves we can go so the rescue effort will be incredibly difficult." They were closer to the entrance but were forced back further into the cave.

Apparently it was part of an "initiation ceremony", to dash in and write their name on the wall - I shall be telling my sons this later as a stern reminder of where peer pressure can get you. They've been anxious about the boys too.

I sincerely hope no charges are brought against the teacher , this will probably haunt him for the rest of his life .

I have no idea what the coach did or didn't do wrong, but given that he's not actually out alive yet and there's no guarantee he will be, one hopes the issue of legalities can wait until then.

Can anyone tell me why they went in the cave? What were they supposedly doing? Sorry not RTWT

They’ve been drinking rain water which may have been contaminated by bat droppings and any manner of other things. Bear in mind they were stuck for ten days before being found so precautions would need to be taken to ensure that they haven’t ingested anything harmful.

I don’t know what the deleted post said, but it’s worth bearing in mind that most rescues happen off the back of stupidity on the part of those being rescued. Going up a mountain in heavy snow, out to see in high winds/seas or with the forecast of them. Trecking across moors with the wrong kinds of equipment. Not malicious but none the less usually someone’s bad decision or mistake. And that these rescue teams know what they’ve signed up to, and that when you join a rescue organisation be that voluntary or not, you make the conscious decision to put your life at risk for the lives of others. It’s a pretty selfless thing to do, but these rescuers go into any and every situation with their eyes open, knowing that each rescue could be their last.

Suing someone for that achieves literally nothing. I don’t imagine he’ll be making the same mistake again...

@eggandspoonrace

They went in as a team initiation. It’s tradition that every year they cycle to cave then run in and write their name on the wall.

This cave is a tourist destination. The boys have been in many times.

Suing someone for that achieves literally nothing

^this x100.

I absolutely loathe our increasingly litgatious culture. It's possible to apportion blame? Great, sue the bastard .

I'm sure all these parents want more than anything is their children back. I'm also sure that their coach will be consumed with guilt for a long time.

I’m so glad that there’s another 4 out. I’m hoping that they can get the last 5 out tomorrow and we can all breath again!

Well presumably he didn't sneak them off to the cave when their parents thought they'd be at football practise? Id heard that it was a prearranged trip so presumably their parents knew where they were going and thought it safe.

Has anyone found a way of donating to the UK voluntary rescuers that allows Gift Aid? I'm more than happy to donate but would like the Govt to have to do their bit too.

Agatha, I received an email from the Cavers org offering me a gift aid form after my donation.

I think this article in the Guardian highlights the difference in culture between U.K. and Thailand, how they're protecting the boy's identities so it doesn't affect their whole life, how they've cleared much of the area of press, how they're gonna manage interviews, how the mental health of the parents is being considered so by not naming the boys they're all in the same situation, really interesting read
www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/09/health-precaution-delays-thai-cave-boys-reunion-with-parents

And this article about the coach is fascinating, I can't imagine for a minute he thought he was putting those children at risk, and I worry for his mental health when he's out. I think the boys parents supporting him will give him great comfort.

www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-cave-rescue-how-a-25-year-old-former-monk-kept-the-teenage-soccer-team-alive

Hurrah for four more out! I hope the rest are successfully rescued tomorrow.

Whitney, brilliant and many thanks.

Great article on the coach. Fascinating.

"But for many in Thailand, Ekapol, who left his life in the monkhood three years ago and joined the Wild Boars as an assistant coach soon after, is an almost divine force, sent to protect the boys as they go through this ordeal."

We (in the West) could all learn a thing or two from this, I think. A completely different mindset - much talk here of 'blame' and 'suing' - the talk there is of him as a "divine force". He'll be a national hero - I'm really really hoping the last 5 (?) get out tomorrow. Godspeed to them.

They've had 4 out on each day so far - and 5 to go now, by my calculation - hope the coach isn't left on his own for another day Coach will be the last out. Truly amazing that those boys were still alive when they were found.

I'm an experienced hiker but sometimes you take a wrong turn or make a wrong decision - I won't say it's easily done but none of us are infallible.

Thank you all who helped me understand the. Quarantine thing. Hadn’t thought so many things in caves. Also the water, the only caves I’ve been to have looked cleanish and had clear water from the springs.