He kept the young boys alive,

[sheshe2]

Link to tweet

[hlthe2b]

1. Who is Ekapol Chanthawong (you, me and everyone else must surely be wondering)

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/thailand-cave-rescue-how-ekapol-chanthawong-a-former-monk-kept-boys-alive-1879698

How A Former Monk, 25, Kept Boys Trapped Inside Thai Cave Alive

Ekapol Chanthawong left his life in the monkhood and joined the Wild Boars as an assistant coach.

The head coach of the Thai soccer team spent the morning of June 23 preparing his young assistant for an important task: looking out for the boys by himself.

Nopparat Khanthavong, the 37-year-old head coach of the Moo Pa (Wild Boars) soccer team, had an appointment that morning. Ekapol Chanthawong, his assistant, was to take the younger boys to a soccer field nestled by the Doi Nang Non mountain range, a formation with numerous waterfalls and caves that straddles the Thai-Myanmar border.--snip--
As the rush to figure out how to rescue the group continues some have chided Ekapol for leading the team into the cave. A large warning sign at the cave's entrance raises the risk of entering so close to the monsoon season, they say, and he should have known better.

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. A widely shared cartoon drawing of Ekapol shows him sitting cross-legged, as a monk does in meditation, with 12 little wild boars in his arms.

According to rescue officials, he is among the weakest in the group, in part because he gave the boys his share of the limited food and water they had with them in the early days. He also taught the boys how to meditate and how to conserve as much energy as possible until they were found. --more--

[sheshe2]

4. Thanks

I read the article but for some reason it would not let me copy and paste.

[pnwmom]

64. Funny, this article tells a completely different story. It says he FOLLOWED the boys after he heard

that they were in there.

It’s two weeks ago now since it all began. The boys, aged 11 to 16, rode their bikes down to the cave and spent 700 baht ($28) at the local shop, buying food, soft drink and sweets.

They left their bikes at the entrance and descended deep into the cave. The sign nearby warning that venturing inside during the wet season was dangerous because of the risk of sudden flooding meant little — this was a place they knew and loved.


They were a motley mob — hill tribe lads, Shan, Lahu and Lua, plus a couple of Lanna Thai (boys from the north) — on a boys’ own adventure. But their little journey of exploration was badly timed. A torrential downpour, hardly surprising at this time of year — rudu fon (rainy season) — has left them in a dire predicament.

Family members raised the alarm later that day. Where were they?

Their parents’ concern drove their coach 25-year-old Ekapol Jantawong, a stateless orphan who shared their love of football, to the cave. Near the entrance, he found their bikes, a discovery that meant he had to go deep inside to try to locate them and bring them back.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-how-the-cave-nightmare-began-ng-b88889337z

[moriah]

77. Not sure if contradiction is because of this account from an Australian article:

https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/how-a-25yearold-former-monk-kept-the-thai-soccer-team-alive/news-story/46b657bf5e027611d34da5fb509062a4

The Moo Pa head coach Nopparat Kathawong, 37, has revealed that he handed over caring for the soccer team to Mr Ekkapol on June 23 because he had an appointment.

<snip>

The older Wild Boars were due to play a match on the Saturday evening, and when they didn’t return home their anxious parents began calling Mr Nopparat.

One 13-year-old who went home after training told the head coach the team had gone exploring in Tham Luang.

When Mr Nopparat got to the site, all he could find were the boys’ bicycles and bags at the cave’s mouth.

So there were two coaches, at least according to this article. The younger one was the assistant, and the older one was the one who received calls from worried parents.

Sadly in breaking news events not all sources are accurate. I don't know which is the accurate version.

I think they certainly aren't going to condemn someone who has been trying to keep their children sane, they're glad some adult is with them. And I completely understand being grateful if my child was trapped somewhere they weren't completely without some guardian figure. So I get the people whose opinions in this matter most not wanting him castigated for a mistake.

[pnwmom]

78. There were two coaches. But the Aussie article specifically says the young coach

came after them.

I agree -- these discrepancies are so common in initial news accounts. It usually takes a few days after a crisis to shake out the facts.

[Maraya1969]

81. It makes more sense that the boys went exploring in the cave and ignored the sign. I don't think

the adults would have allowed it especially as they would know the dangers of monsoon season. It sounds like the coach is a real hero.

[pnwmom]

82. I think so, too. The boys are old enough that it would be reasonable for the coaches

to have given them some free-time alone.

[mythology]

2. He also is the one who put them in the cave

He is responsible for the problem in the first place.

[Nitram]

8. He couldn't have known it would rain, nor that it would rain that hard.

It was an unseasonably early and plentiful deluge. He took the boys on an adventure. It has happened to boys in the Southwest when a heavy rain flooded a canyon, boys have been killed in avalanches of snow, boys have died when a clear blue day on the ocean in a sailboat unexpectedly came up a gale within minutes. If he made a mistake, it was a taking them too far into the cave.

[Sophia4]

38. The weather reports did not suggest that it would rain?

Don't they have weather reports in Thailand?

I've never been there.

[pnwmom]

63. He didn't lead them into the cave. He FOLLOWED them in there after he learned

that they hadn't come out.

At least, according to this report.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-how-the-cave-nightmare-began-ng-b88889337z

It’s two weeks ago now since it all began. The boys, aged 11 to 16, rode their bikes down to the cave and spent 700 baht ($28) at the local shop, buying food, soft drink and sweets.

They left their bikes at the entrance and descended deep into the cave. The sign nearby warning that venturing inside during the wet season was dangerous because of the risk of sudden flooding meant little — this was a place they knew and loved.

Rescue on for trapped Thai cave boys
They were a motley mob — hill tribe lads, Shan, Lahu and Lua, plus a couple of Lanna Thai (boys from the north) — on a boys’ own adventure. But their little journey of exploration was badly timed. A torrential downpour, hardly surprising at this time of year — rudu fon (rainy season) — has left them in a dire predicament.

Family members raised the alarm later that day. Where were they?

Their parents’ concern drove their coach 25-year-old Ekapol Jantawong, a stateless orphan who shared their love of football, to the cave. Near the entrance, he found their bikes, a discovery that meant he had to go deep inside to try to locate them and bring them back.

[womanofthehills]

41. Kids in the area said their parents told them never to go into that cave

Everyone in the town was aware of the dangers. It can rain anytime.

[LanternWaste]

13. I'm not surprised someone would direct all blame towards him, and ignore any good works.

No doubt, the parents of the children will giggle at the irrelevance of finger-pointing this late in the game. If we can't laugh with them, at least we have the satisfaction of them laughing at us.

[kcr]

18. Yep.

I notice a pattern, too. I'm never surprised to see who makes such judgments.

[Hav]

26. Yep, didn't take long

But it's not only about ignoring what he did afterwards, it's also ignoring or being ignorant about the unlucky circumstances and weather conditions that led to all of this. The cave where they are right now wasn't their target, it where they fled to.

[Sophia4]

40. He has probably done many good things and is a good person, but this was an error

of judgment that could have been fatal to children.

Now if we can just get Trump to get the children that he "kidnapped" here back to their mothers.

[sheshe2]

46. Perhaps you should read this.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-how-the-cave-nightmare-began-ng-b88889337z

[lunatica]

27. I'm sure he is the first to take accountability for his actions.

As a monk he does take responsibility. Your judgement of a human mistake shows you are as close minded as the Trump base. Ugh!

[ADX]

28. Do you have proof of that?

According to this account you're as wrong as wrong can be:

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-how-the-cave-nightmare-began-ng-b88889337z

[sheshe2]

43. Thanks for that link, ADX.

[ADX]

58. You're very welcome, sheshe2...

...thanks for starting the thread...

[Ferrets are Cool]

33. That is so farking wrong.

[Justice]

45. What's your point - does he deserve to die? Weird post.

[malaise]

47. Thank you n/t

[sheshe2]

53. Perhaps before the rush to judgement we should have all the facts.

This


https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/thai-cave-rescue-how-the-cave-nightmare-began-ng-b88889337z

I have read in more place that the boys planned the hike as a birthday celebration.

[Iggo]

52. Hmm.

Yeesh.

[Little Star]

67. Hello. No he was not........

The boys, aged 11 to 16, rode their bikes down to the cave and spent 700 baht ($28) at the local shop, buying food, soft drink and sweets.

They were a motley mob — hill tribe lads, Shan, Lahu and Lua, plus a couple of Lanna Thai (boys from the north) — on a boys’ own adventure.

They left their bikes at the entrance and descended deep into the cave.

Family members raised the alarm later that day. Where were they?

Their parents’ concern drove their coach 25-year-old Ekapol Jantawong, a stateless orphan who shared their love of football, to the cave. Near the entrance, he found their bikes

[sheshe2]

69. Thanks Little Star.

[Leghorn21]

3. Ekapol Chanthawong made a terrible, horrible mistake. He knows it, too. He should never, ever

have wandered into the cave with his team that fateful day, and HE KNOWS IT.

But I love this man and I thank this man - he made an innocent, unthinking mistake that anyone, myself included, could have easily made in a spur of the moment decision that brought them all enormous suffering and incomprehensible panic and fear.

But Mr. Chanthawong has taken utterly perfect care of his young wards, which I could never do in a thousand years, and I LOVE HIM for looking after these youngsters with such tender warmth and strength.

RESPECT

[sheshe2]

7. He is 25 not much older than some of the boys.

He also sent a letter out saying he would take care of them and apologized. As a former monk he also taught them all to meditate to stay calm and focused. Now he is the weakest among them and may not survive the trip out.

Thanks, leghorn.

[Leghorn21]

11. Oh no no, I heard he was much weakened, but not that his life is in danger, sheshe.

Maybe - and I can only hope, along with everyone else - but maybe they can get him out along with the remaining four boys, which I assume they will try again tonight (about midnight ET)...? And they are getting a little faster at retrieving the kids now, so...maybe by this time tomorrow ALL the poor dears will be on the road to recovery -


And this is very promising:

“The retrievals are getting faster: "Our rescuers can [now]
shorten the operation time by two hours," he says. "Over
100 including 18 international cave divers took part in today’s
operation." #thamluangcave

Link to tweet

[sheshe2]

14. I do hope they can get the five out together, leghorn.

Thanks for that tweet, the fact they have shortened the retrieval is such good news.

I haven't read that his life is in danger, just all the news that it would be difficult for even a healthy person to make it through. I wish them godspeed.

[Leghorn21]

17. "Standing by", sheshe.

OH!

[calimary]

29. Yeah. Me too.

They have to get the rest of them out of there soon, before more serious rains start.

I’m actually kinda surprised that some scuba diving companies wouldn’t be rushing to donate more full oxygen tanks. Lots of volunteers in the operation are underground, using oxygen too. The delay in the rescue efforts so they can refill the oxygen tanks really worries me. It’s a critical race against time, and the full brunt of Monsoon Season.

[Leghorn21]

31. DUer grantcart has a great post from today's press conference, calimary

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10846882

[calimary]

57. Good stuff, Leghorn21! Thanks!

I, too, was wondering what-the-hell were they doing so far up in that damn cave! But as a mom, myself, it does make sense that some frisky soccer kids would want to explore, especially as they're smaller in stature at their age, and they'd think nothing of scrambling up into crannies and crevasses and other tight places where it might not be a good idea to explore. We always had to be extra vigilant at Cub Scout camp outs, especially with one or two resolute little renegades in the group.

[MichMary]

55. I assume that the oxygen tanks are limited

by the space they take up, rather than their availability.

[tblue37]

75. I don't think it is to *refill* the tanks, but rather to position full ones to replace

the ones used during the rescue. It is very slow and dangerous work to place the full tanks along the escape route. In fact, it was while placing oxygen tanks along the route that the retired Thai Navy SEAL volunteer lost consciousness and died.

[mr_lebowski]

76. I believe you are correct ...

Have to remember total O2 supply in cave was dipping low, so every action leading to the start of the rescue had to weigh/consider this, nothing could be 'inefficient'. They also had to get food to the kids, and install roping. There was much to do in preparation, and not a lot of O2 to do it with.

Plus they didn't know how long it'd be before rains became an issue again.

So, they got as many tanks 'staged' along the route as they could before beginning the operation, but didn't have time to stage enough for all the 'participants', for all the operation, ahead of time. Thus they have to stage some more in the middle of the operation.

Another important point ... takes >1 tank per person for the operation (esp. the rescuers as they have to go 2x as far), and the kids of course need tanks brought to them ... hence the need for staging of tanks along the route.

[sheshe2]

48. Me too, Leghorn.

[pnwmom]

61. All their lives are still in danger as long as they're in there. Remember that a practiced diver in

top condition did die.

[grantcart]

20. it is possible that the kids were on their way to the cave whether he went or not and he went to

watch over them.

Not all of the team went to the cave after practice, one went home.

Coach Ek is actually the assistant coach, when the head coach talked to the one that went home and found that they had gone to the caves he went over to catch up with them and found that they were caught off, and reported it to the officials. This is how they got such a quick start on the rescue.

More on the coach here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210846882

[uponit7771]

21. I don't think this is how the story went, from my understanding he was going after them and was ...

... caught in the cave with them.

Also there was a warning sign from July to Nov for the rainy season and they went in June 23

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30349417

The warning sign in front of the cave cautioned visitors against entering the cave during the rainy season from July to November. The team went in on June 23. It was not their first visit.

Do you have an link to another account?

thx in advance

[Leghorn21]

25. No no, uponit, what I wrote is from reading too fast and trying to keep up with - everything -

I have no link, as my post is, at best, a shaky version of what happened that day - apologies

[Sophia4]

42. He probably feels terrible about this, but it was a serious mistake.

It's important that everyone learn from this mistake.

Being a good, loving person does not prevent us from making mistakes.

He should have checked the weather reports before venturing into the cave. Let that be a lesson to all spelunkers.

[cwydro]

73. According to other posts in this thread, that is not

what happened.

[Nitram]

5. Many Thais believe the as a monk, he was destined to accompany the boys to

watch over them in their hour of need. I would not blame him for taking the boys on an adventure like that. Live your whole life in fear and you experience nothing. I appreciate that my parents allowed me to experience such things.

[sheshe2]

9. I read that, Nitram,

Also this...

Link to tweet

[Scurrilous]

6. K&R

[sheshe2]

10. And this...

Link to tweet

[Nitram]

12. Yes, the Thai people who would sacrifice anything to save these children,

and do not for a moment blame their coach, make quite a contrast to Americans who separate children from their parents and are so quick to point the finger of blame.

[sheshe2]

16. Bingo.

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. Yep

The coach blaming almost brought me to tears. So quick to judgment without the necessary information and a broader perspective.

[Iggo]

50. Some people have a need.

And yes, it's sad.

[Iggo]

49. Better than a lot of my finger-wagging punishment-fetishist fellow countrymen.

Go Thailand!

[Gothmog]

15. This man is a hero

[grantcart]

19. More background on the coach and team here

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210846882

[sheshe2]

32. Thanks, grantcart.

[wonkwest]

23. A Thai friend said the media there are hailing him as a hero

Which relieved me greatly.

Here in America, I've heard more than a few blaming him. One guy said in front of a group of us yesterday, "They should just leave him in there."

It was a horrible accident brought by a quirk of Mother Nature. He kept those boys calm, sacrificed his health and well-being, and kept them alive.

He is going to feel horrible anguish when he learns that Saman Kunan died.

If he came out to learn that, and then received a wave of hate, it would be a cruel fate. People have killed themselves over things like that. I hope he receives nothing but overwhelming gratitude and love when he emerges.

[colorado_ufo]

37. This man has suffered much already.

He must pass through a 15 inch wide underwater channel to get out. If he is too large to fit through, then he is likely already in his tomb.

We don't know the full story. That far in, they could have gotten lost, or one of the boys became lost, and they all went to look for him. We should rush less to judgment and more to care and forgiveness.

Those who believe in prayer should remember him in those prayers.

[Tipperary]

44. He looks to be the same size or smaller than many of the divers.

That will not be an issue. Let us not put someone “in his tomb” prematurely.

[wonkwest]

51. He was a trim guy before the ordeal

Media reports I've read said he's lost a significant amount of weight after giving all his food to the children for nine days. That's why he's considered the weakest person in there.

Plus, and I know I'm stereotyping a bit, being Thai, he's probably more on the smaller side to begin with. While there are exceptions, all my Thai friends tend to be shorter and thinner on average.

I think he'll fit just fine. I mean, they did get in there after all.

[colorado_ufo]

79. That is reassuring.

I don't know if they got in by the same route, but hopefully the food the divers brought will help strengthen him.

[rurallib]

24. what an incredible hero

along with those divers. Bravery and sacrifice.

[backtoblue]

30. Kick and Rec. Still praying and thinking about them.

May the rest come out safely. The kids, coach, and divers.

[7962]

34. Such a wonderful international effort underway rescuing these folks!

It came together very fast & looks like its working very well too. I dont remember how many countries are involved but its several. I saw an interview with a USAF member before the rescue started & she was giving a good update.

[mcar]

35. He is a hero

Blessings on him, the boys and the rescue workers.

[Cha]

36. Thank You, she!

[colorado_ufo]

39. The divers and rescue workers are calling this rescue their "Masterpiece."

This may well be the greatest thing they will ever do in their lives, and they have spent their lives preparing for this moment. The techniques devised may help many more people in the future.

Also, a "thank you" to Elon Musk for contributing his efforts. Good, caring man.

[Leghorn21]

54. Aw, just tripped across this, sheshe:

“Welcome home boys” reads this billboard in Chiang Rai,
Thailand. Photo taken by Reuters @tendailyau #tennews
#ThaiCaveRescue #ThamLuangCave

Link to tweet

[sheshe2]

56. Love it!

I am so weepy, Leghorn.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Then there are these guys too.

Link to tweet

[Leghorn21]

59. OMG, look at those water pumpers, WOW - the dedication and determination of these rescuers is

SO FREAKIN INSPIRING



Thank you, sheshe.

[Leghorn21]

60. Aw geeze, a video about Thai Seal HERO Saman Gunan's wife from above tweeter's account:

https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCWorld/status/1016291711667130368/video/1

[sheshe2]

62. oh...

[Leghorn21]

65. Some say Elon Musk is seeking publicity - I have no opinion/don't care - but look here:

BREAKING: Tesla’s Elon Musk has been INSIDE the
#Thailandcave where the kids are being rescued. He’s
bright his mini sub with him, and plan to leave it here for
the future just in case! Incredible! #TenNews #ThamLuangCave
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed.
It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’
soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the
future. Thailand is so beautiful.

Link to tweet

OH HELL YEAH

[sheshe2]

66. I don't care either.

He is helping at his own expense. This is wonderful.

The 'Resident of the United States barely mentioned the boys until a few days later.

[Leghorn21]

68. Hey sheshe - rescuers are gearing up for their third, and please lord, final rescue mission tonight.

Fyi, these two tweeters are on the ground there, and post updates as they can:

https://mobile.twitter.com/yayqe

https://mobile.twitter.com/danielsutton10


Daniel Sutton, in fact, just posted this:

Interesting side note: tents used to accommodate
volunteers and media at #ThaiCaveRescue have all been
donated by families who have lost a loved one. This guy
was just 21. A bit like park benches in Australia.

Link to tweet

The divers won’t actually be going in for (I imagine) another 2-3 hours, but this beautiful, dedicated army of frickin saviors is gathering together now after resting a bit today...

Deep breaths...steady as she goes, my friend

[sheshe2]

70. I want to wake in the morning

to hear they have all come home. Yup. Deep breaths.

Link to tweet

[sheshe2]

71. Looks like the finale.

This will be the hardest. They are the weakest.

Look here.

Link to tweet

[Leghorn21]

72. Thanks, sheshe...it looks as if they're having some rain...which of course really puts the

urgency in tonight’s mission, as if there wasn’t already enough of THAT

But shaving two hours off their rescue time is just so encouraging!!

I just found this fellow, he’s tweeting away:

https://mobile.twitter.com/SaksithCNA

Oh, I came upon this photo of Saman Gunan today:



—-—-Please continue to watch over all our dedicated cave people, dear sir——-

[sheshe2]

74. Yes, I know the rains are adding to the urgency.

I would guess their health as well. They were evaluated by a doctor in the beginning and left for last to eat and regain strength. I can't remember his name yet he remained with them to assist.

Tomorrow, Leghorn.

PS: The picture of Saman says it all, an extraordinary man. Rest in peace, Saman.

Tomorrow.

[Raine]

80. A true hero

I hope that he is recognized for his heroism.