The coach of the young Thai football team that captivated the world’s attention after spending nearly three weeks trapped in a cave has found himself in yet another watery scenario, this time locked on his roof by flash floods.
Ekkapol Chantawong told AFP on Wednesday that he is using his 2018 experience with the “Wild Boars” team to get through his latest struggle at his home in the northern Thai province of Mae Sai.
Days of torrential rain from Typhoon Yagi have caused devastating flash floods and landslides in northern Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.
The floodwaters surged unexpectedly in Ekkapol’s village early Tuesday morning, giving him and his family no time to flee, he told AFP by phone.
The water kept rising, forcing him onto his house’s roof, where he spent Tuesday night with his girlfriend and her aunt.
“I was scared but I told myself I have to be calm. Wait and assess the situation,” he said.
The waters have gone down, allowing Ekkapol to reach the ground floor of the house, but they cannot leave because the current outside is still too strong, he said.
Ekkapol and his “Wild Boars” team spent nearly three weeks trapped by flash floods in the Tham Luang cave complex, emerging to global acclaim after a daring international rescue operation.
He said the cave experience had taught him lessons he could apply to his latest predicament.
“I do not think it is different. First we have to focus and start solving the problem we are facing,” he said.
“I do not feel more pressure with this stranding. I see more of a way out.”
Asked if he could imagine a third such experience, Ekkapol laughed: “It’s hard to say. We can’t say what will be, but I hope I don’t have to go up on the roof again tonight.”