Thai cave rescue site will become ‘living museum’ salute to miracle
AS PLANS firm for the Thai cave rescue site to become a museum, Chilean miners have a warning for the young survivors.
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THE Thai cave which trapped 12 boys and saw a miracle rescue transform it from a scene of terror into an internationally-celebrated triumph will be turned into a museum.
And with international interest in their story still swirling, a group of Chilean miners who survived a similarly horrendous ordeal have warned the young survivors: Beware of fraudsters.
As Hollywood film producers continue circling to make the story of the rescue into a movie blockbuster, rescue chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters the Chiang Rai site will ultimately become a museum showcasing the clothes and equipment used during the dramatic rescue.
“The area will become a living museum to show how the operation unfolded,” he said.
“An interactive database will be set up. It will become another major attraction for Thailand. Tourists will come visit.”
New challenges ahead: As the rescued boys continue to recuperate in hospital, survivors of similar ordeals have warned of what lies ahead
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said that safety measures will need to be put in place inside and outside the cave.
It is not clear whether the museum will be open year round as Thailand is prone to heavy floods during the monsoon season, which lasts from June until October.
Also, some are questioning whether profiting from the cave site or the story would show disrespect for Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Gunan who died in the rescue attempt.
THE HOLLYWOOD TREATMENT
Before even the clothes of the Wild Boar football team players had dried following the last dramatic escape mission on Tuesday from the flooded cave, plans were being made to turn their heroic tale into a movie.
At least one film production house was already working on a scheme to make a Hollywood treatment out of the heroics of divers, cavers and medics who risked their lives to free the “Wild Boars”.
“I see this as a major Hollywood film with A-list stars,” Michael Scott, managing partner of Pure Flix films, told AFP in Chiang Rai.
Mr Scott, who lives in Thailand went to the site as the boys were being pulled to safety.
“We’re here really looking at this as a movie that could inspire millions of people across the globe.”
WARNING TO BOYS: “GUARD AGAINST EXPLOITATION”
As the 12 rescued boys and their coach continue to recover from the marathon ordeal, Chilean miners who survived a harrowing ordeal warned them to beware of fraudsters.”.
Eight years ago, 33 Chilean miners were stuck underground for 69 days after a cave-in, before their torment was turned into a motion picture starring Antonio Banderas released in 2015.
But although The 33 grossed $25 million at the box office, the miners never got a cent.
“Hopefully they’ll make a film, a television series, a best-selling novel, but that they do it well, that they are smart and don’t get taken for a ride by fraudsters,” Mario Sepulveda, who was played by Banderas in The 33, told AFP.
But before they worry about how to sell their stories, another miner, Luis Urzua, says they need to understand recovering from the “the experience of a lifetime” won’t be easy.
“It’s been eight years but there are still many things we can’t overcome,” Mr Urzua said.
“The most important thing is that the authorities and their families protect these kids because many people just want to take advantage.”
The miners said there was bitterness at having been exploited by lawyers, producers and others who wanted to benefit from their story.
“Once they’d got the information off us, they disappeared,” said Mr Urzua.
He says they were badly advised and fell for promises they would be made millionaires so “ceded all (intellectual) rights for life.”
“They destroyed us,” he said, praising the protective circle that has enveloped the Thai boys.
HOW ARE THE BOYS?
The boys and their coach remain a Chiang Rai hospital, in various stages of recuperation because of their staggered rescue over three days.
Their relatives continue to be allowed to visit with them while wearing hospital gowns and masks, after earlier being kept away from the boys for fear one group might spread infections to the other.
The four boys rescued on Sunday have normal heart rates and no fever, and the two of them with lung infections are improving, said Jedsada Chokdumrongsuk, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry.
Two of the four rescued on Monday have mild fevers, the secretary said in a statement. Three of the five in the last group have fevers that are easing, and three have middle ear infections.
All of the group are receiving antibiotics. Mr Jedsada also said a psychiatrist was attending to the boys, who are sleeping well and are not showing symptoms of stress.
THE CLEAN-UP
“Nobody is allowed to go inside the cave at all even though there is still a lot of equipment there because water levels have been rising since the rescue mission,” he said.
As foreign helpers, including some of the world’s best cave divers, head home, about 50 workers remain on-site, recovering and packing up the industrial water pumps, heavy-grade machinery and construction equipment at the mouth of the cave, which was transformed into a hi-tech command centre during the 18-day ordeal.
Originally published as Thai cave rescue site will become ‘living museum’ salute to miracle
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