Pol Gen Srivara Rangsibrahmanagul, the national deputy chief, has come under attacks in the social media for what is seen as an act of intimidation toward officials working to save the lives of the 12 young footballers and their coach trapped in Tham Luang Cave.
A video clip showing Pol Gen Srivara questioning two officials whether they had a permission to fly a drone and drill a hole in the cave went viral on the last few days. It was his use of language and stern manner that irked social media users who expressed sympathy with the officials on the rescue mission.
An official was trying to use a drone to survey the mountain to look for shafts through which search and rescue officials could get down into the cave when Pol Gen Srivara intervened to question whether he had received proper permission to do so.
And with an official of the Mineral Resources Department who was involved in drilling a hole through cave wall to help drain more water out of the cave, the deputy police chief questioned whether he had the permission to do the job or not, pointing out that the cave was under the jurisdiction of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
The manner with which Pol Gen Srivara’s confronted the two officials have provoked an uproar in the social media by netizens who said the questions were asked at the wrong place and at the wrong time and demoralizing as the priority concern should be on the safe return of the missing 13 with whatever necessary means and not ridiculous issue as legality of the means employed.
The deputy police chief yesterday clarified that he merely wanted everything to be done legally, claiming that there was issue about budgetary
disbursement and any rescue or support activity which was not legal could not claim a refund.
Pol Gen Srivara, who is known for his brusque style of talking, also maintained that he did not intimidate any of them but merely talked with them as if they were his subordinates.
He also offered an apology to the public if they were not happy with his act.
