I’ve had exactly the same thought.
If I was responsible for a dozen boys, there’s no way I would even consider leading them into such a dangerous environment. Cave exploration isn’t for amateurs,
That coach is going to have a lot of explaining to do.
....”Cave exploration isn’t for amateurs,That coach is going to have a lot of explaining to do”....
No he’s not.... Thai people understand their culture and way of life for their youngsters and this cave is part of what they do in their area. The parents and Thai people are grateful and thankful to the coach for ‘saving’ their kids life as he led them to escape the flash flooding waters to higher ground....none of these kids could swim.
“...If I was responsible for a dozen boys, there’s no way I would even consider leading them into such a dangerous environment. ...”
This is Thailand. Some of those kids have been riding motorbikes to school with 2 or 3 people aboard, with traffic zooming by. No helmets, no license. Not uncommon for even grade school kids. Getting into or on a vehicle in Thailand is far, far more dangerous than going into a cave the was dry at the time.
Thailand probably has the highest per capita rate of traffic fatalities. The numbers are skewed because they only include those who died right at the scene. Cops do not patrol the roads generally - no cruise cars.
I think in this case, some official(s) are just pounding their chests and saying what needs to be said politically, but not acted upon. Maybe they are ticked because part of the rescue money came out of their departmental budgets. That leaves less for corruption and makes for longer working hours.
It’s Thailand. Don’t try to apply your behavioral assumptions. The coach didn’t do anything wrong.