Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said this morning he believes members of the navy SEAL rescue unit will today reach the area in Tham Luang cave known as Pattaya Beach where the 12 missing young footballers and their coach are believed to be taking refuge.
Gen Prawit also expressed hopes that the boys and their coach are still sheltering at the spot.
The 13 have been trapped in Tham Luang cave in the Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non National Park in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district since June 23. The search and rescue operation involving navy Seal teams and many other units as well as foreign rescue teams enters its ninth day today.
Gen Prawit, who is also defence minister, said he has been closely monitoring progress of the rescue mission. He said the SEAL teams, which reached the fork known as Sam Yaek this morning, are still having problems with strong currents and narrow passages.
The fork is about 2 kilometers from Pattaya Beach and the passage is blocked by flood waters.