His Majesty the King has instructed officials to ensure that the crowd gathered outside a Chiang Rai cave does not impede the continuing search for 12 youngsters and their football coach lost inside since Saturday.
Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda told reporters at Government House in Bangkok the King shared the public’s concern for the missing party.
People flocking to the cave in hope of offering assistance have caused confusion at times, Anupong said, but the scene was expected to be more orderly on Wednesday.
Anyone not officially involved in the search would be barred from the cave interior.
Anupong has personally visited Luang Cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park with Tourism Minister Veerasak Kohsurat to observe the mission’s progress.
He said he believed the 13 missing were safe.
Anupong said two search-and-rescue teams were continuing their work, one trekking the mountain atop the cave looking for alternative access points, the other diving through flooded sections of the cave.
Persistent rainfall was proving to be a major obstacle, he said.
