OPINION

Phoenix: facts first

Re: "Phuket boat tragedy shows our indifference", (Opinion, July 9).

If there is any indifference it could be because the authority wants to downplay the negative impact the news has on the tourism industry (of Thailand).

The media did not seem to make a lot of coverage, much less than the huge effort they made in reporting on a black leopard killed by alleged poachers a few months ago.

Is it because there are no heroes in this case? Or is it because there is no drama in the investigation due to the apparent negligence and non-compliance of safety regulations by the vessel's operator?

When more than 40 human lives had been lost, the public, especially the families of those deceased, has the right to know how many passengers the vessel Phoenix can carry by law, what kind of life jackets were provided and how many of these jackets were available when the vessels was capsizing.

Like an airplane or a taxi, there is limitation on the number of passengers that they can take on, and there are safety regulations it has to comply with. Whether the passengers are from group or private tours or the so-called "zero dollar" tours is irrelevant.

Given the extraordinary weather conditions, the whole incident could well be a natural disaster too, but let us not jump to conclusions before all the facts are revealed.

Rescuing the soccer players and their coach from Tham Luang cave cost millions, untold hours of toil by genuine heroes -- and, worst of all, the tragic death of ex-Navy Seal Petty Officer 1st Class Saman Gunan.

We must study this disaster, so that we will not repeat it, especially the role of coach Ekapol Chanthawong, for had his team stayed out of the cave, none of this would have happened.

The Bangkok Post on June 25 reported, "Sompote Maneerat, spokesman of the Department of National Parks ... said entry to the cave had earlier been closed to the public for the wet season... [Yet] after training, witnesses saw the coach and the football players enter the cave. A mother reported that her son did not return from soccer practice, setting off the search."

An independent committee should determine the coach's accountability and take action accordingly. As a local leader, the coach should have known that the DNP had closed the cave, and that the rains had begun: Why did he lead his charges, albeit unwittingly, into harm's way? Yes, they were having an adventure, but a dangerous lark cannot be justified.

As mitigating circumstances, he gave all his food to his team, led them in meditation to prevent panic, and a sign at the cave entrance stated that the cave was closed from July, whereas the kids entered on June 23.

I have no intention of wrecking the coach's career. But we cannot let PO1 Saman die in vain, nor entrust other students to his care until coach Ekapol has earned our trust.

As the rescue is progressing, we hope the 25-year-old coach will soon be brought out from the cave.

As everyone knows, he has suffered great mental pressure for his decision to lead the 12 boys to the cave trip and inviting this great disaster.

Authorities must prepare for his protection from the public, especially from the media, and provide special care and help for his mental rehabilitation measures.

North Korea's Kim dynasty began in 1948. Thus, the UN has had almost 70 years to do something about the horrifying human rights situation there.

Yet UN rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana sees fit to criticise Donald Trump for not "comprehensively addressing the human rights issue" when he met with dictator Kim.

I reiterate, the US is not the world's parent. If Mr Quintana wants to be an effective advocate for human rights he should be making positive contributions rather than criticising others for not doing his job for him.

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