The families of two Thais killed when their car went over a cliff in California on July 26 are disappointed that a recovery operation cannot begin until Wednesday, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The ministry stated on Monday that the Thai consulate in Los Angeles received a report from a rescue operation chief saying that because of a strong storm, it was currently not possible for a helicopter to reach the valley where the car finally came to a stop.
The rescue team expected to start the recovery mission on Wednesday.
The families of the Thai students were sad and disappointed that the recovery operation was delayed, the Foreign Ministry said.
According to the ministry, the families were at the consulate on Saturday to make merit, and on Sunday retraced part of the route taken by the Thai students.
The bodies of the two Thais are believed to be trapped in their vehicle, which plunged off a cliff in Kings Canyon National Park in California.
A news website showed the heavily-damaged rental car submerged in the river at the foot of the cliff.
According to Siam Town US, a Thai online newspaper in Los Angeles, body parts that appeared to belong to one of the two Thais were spotted in the car. The newspaper's reporters recorded a video clip at the scene on Friday.
One student was identified as Thiwadee Saengsuriyarit, a University of South Florida student. The other was identified only as Golf. They were believed to be on a sight-seeing tour of the park at the time.
Their vehicle was found on Wednesday submerged in the river at the foot of the 150-metre-high cliff by California State Route 180.