Deputy Prime Minister Dismisses Rumor of Compensation of One Million Baht for Families of Trapped Students

 

CHIANG RAI – The Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs has dismissed a rumor that the Government will pay compensation of one million baht to each of the families of the cave-stranded Tham Luang school boys.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, brushed aside the recently spread rumor about compensation.

He said that officials are only focusing on figuring out the best approach to bringing the lost youths home.

Nevertheless Gen. Prawit said the priority now is to nurse the 13 individuals back to health before proceeding any further.

The Defense Minister echoed the opinion of many experts that extraction via diving would only commence when officials are certain that the survivors are physically sound, have acquired the necessary diving skills and can proceed under supervision over the rough underwater terrain unharmed.

 

Gen. Prawit did not dismiss the other option which involves digging an access shaft from the top of the cave near the current location of the survivors below. The Deputy Prime Minister said patrol units are exploring the area above the cave for an opening.

He also touched on the relocation of Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn to Phayao province, repeating Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s statement that a capable official would be able to bring good sense to his tasks wherever he goes.

Former Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn has also urged people not to make contributions to the football team rescue mission because there are already enough supplies of food and essential items to support the rescue of 12 boys and their coach.

In his capacity as commander of the Command Centre for the People Missing at Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non Cave, Narongsak said the rescue team has been given continuous support by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the Royal Family.

They have given items, tools and manpower needed to continue the rescue effort. Four canteens, courtesy of His Majesty the King, have also been set up around the cave to provide hot meals to everyone.

Those taking part in the rescue effort have expressed their gratitude towards His Majesty the King and the Thai Royal Family for their gracious contributions. The governor further stated that anyone found pleading for donations will be prosecuted under the law.

Meanwhile, Far from the limelight of the operation to rescue the 13 footballers stranded in a flooded cave, the Mae Sai District Municipality has been providing silent support for the operation – dealing with around 2.5 tonnes of trash produced there every day.

Warnasilp Jeeragat, Clerk of the Mae Sai Sub-district Municipality, revealed that each day as much as 2.5 tonnes of garbage were generated at the Tham Luang national park. And officers from the district as well as the neighbouring district had to collect and transport the trash to Mae Sai’s landfill twice a day

Warnasilp revealed that apart from managing the large quantities of garbage each day, the district was one of the first agencies to join the rescue operation.

He revealed that Mae Sai district had installed electricity poles and temporary toilets. Before the rescue became an international operation, the district had also sent a rescue team in search of the young footballers though they had to retreat due to the rising water levels inside the cave.