Ministries plan to bring boys from Tham Luang to Pattaya

BANGKOK, July 4 (TNA) -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Education Ministry plan to bring the 12 boys who have been trapped in Tham Luang cave of Chiang Rai province to tour Pattaya as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier promised. Pongpanu Svetrundra, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said his ministry planned a Golden Triangle-Pattaya-Hua Hin trip for the boys as it was promoting the destinations. The trip for the boys would happen after their health fully recovered, he said. Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said his ministry would consider preparation for the boys’ trip to Pattaya and also plan special tuition for them after their long absence from classes. Both ministries aired their plans in response to Prime Minister Prayut’s promise to bring the boys to Pattaya before they were found in Tham Luang cave. Earlier rescuers believed the boys and their football coach might stay on a high ground in the cave dubbed Pattaya Beach. The boys aged 11-16 and their 25-year-old coach had been missing in the cave since June 23. They were found on Monday. The boys who are local residents visited the cave that was later flooded in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai after their regular football practice. (TNA)