Rocky Rescue: Thai Bird’s Nest Climbers Save Young Soccer Stars
When a flood turned a Thai cave into a maze of water, the unlikely heroes were the local bird’s‑nest crew from Libong Island, Trang province. These seasoned rock‑climbers, whose families have spent generations scaling limestone cliffs, decided it was their turn to bring down the cheesy cliffs and bring up the soccer squad.
Who They Are
- Eight men, ages ranging from 20s to 50s, all Thai Muslims native to an island known for its limestone treasures.
- They’re pros at cave exploration and nest collection, hunting the spicy delicacy made from bird “spit” that can fetch a fortune per kilo.
- Team leader Abdulrawheep Khunraksa (49) frequently watches rescue footage. One day he thought, “How can we help?”
The Rescue Mission
On July 5, the team tackled a steep rock face to find gaps that could lead to a subterranean waterway. Inside, they located 12 young football players and their coach, all soaked but alive. The locals used claw‑climbing techniques and their deep knowledge of the cliffs to navigate the slick surfaces.
Why They Could Help
Because climbing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life. The crew’s hand‑crafted skill set made it clear that their niche expertise could be the difference between escape and despair.
Team Leader’s Words
“We saw the rescue on TV,” said Khunraksa, “and we knew we had the know‑how, given all the time we’ve spent on these cliffs.”
Thanks to the daring climbers, the stranded team was brought out safely, proving that sometimes the best saviors are the ones who climb, not the ones who run.
Wild Boar’s wild escape from Tham Laung: A rope‑bound adventure
The ropes, gloves, and a mountain know‑how
Picture this: a handful of brave souls armed not with ropes, but with got‑your‑hands‑on gloves and a hefty dose of mountain‑savvy. They decided to scale the sheer slope of Tham Laung, chasing the secret path that could lead the trapped boys back to daylight.
Who’s stuck?
Inside the cavern’s twisting maze, 12 young lads between 11 and 16 years old, plus their 25‑year‑old coach, learned the hard way that “just a little sleep” can turn into a six‑week ordeal. Since June 23, they have been locked in a cave that looks more like a labyrinth than a playground.
Rescue drama
After a massive operation on Monday (July 2), the group emerged from the darkness—only to find the water inside rising like a tyrant insisting on an encore. The flood’s current now nails their exit passages shut, so the rescue team has faced a new dilemma: keep them safe or push them deeper.
Thai navy diving school on tap
In a bold twist, Thai navy experts have enrolled them into underwater training. “If the next rainfall turns the cave into a flood‑surrounded training ground,” the coaches told the boys, “we’ll need you to learn how to breathe underwater before you dive out.” It sounds like an episode of Survivor: Cave Edition, but this time the stakes are life‑or‑death.
Race against the rising tide
- Water is moving fast—literal or figurative?
- Authorities are on the hunt for a chimney that could turn the tide.
- Time is ticking, and the corridor is closing in. This isn’t just a rescue; it’s a real‑time adrenaline rush.
Volunteer heroes from Trang
The story wouldn’t be complete without the folks from Trang who are the unsung heroes behind this mission. With the help of friends on Libong Island, they covered the cost of travelling back to the cave site, turning the expedition into a community effort that truly captures the “Wild Boar” spirit.
Let’s give a hand—literally—to these fighters and volunteers, who prove that sometimes the best thing you can do is support a team with a little courage, a lot of rope, and some stubborn determination.
