Underground Caverns with TEM2Go: AGS Team to Support Search & Rescue in Laos

AGS team led by Mr. Thanet Nathisri  and Assistant Professor Diesel Suan Buri  (Project Consultant) traveled to participate in the supporting the search and rescue mission of victims stranded in caves in Chai Somboon District. Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The incident occurred after seven villagers went to collect forest products and dig for gold ore in the cave before experiencing continuous heavy rain. As a result, sudden flooding and mudslides blocked the entrance to the cave, as well as flooding inside the cave, which is about 340 meters long, leaving a total of 7 people trapped in the cave.

 AGS was requested by the Lao PDR authorities, Mrs. Kalya Sophonpanit , Chairman of the project. Therefore, the project team was assigned to participate in supporting the mission via area survey and scanning of underground structures to find the craters and channels connecting each cave cavity, as well as to explore water sources that may affect the water management in the cave, which is important information for planning to help the victims.

This operation was closely facilitated by the Lao PDR authorities, Mr. Thongwan Thamwong, Deputy Secretary of the Chai Somboon District Party and Nong Khai Border Post Officer. (Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 1) coordinated and facilitated travel, including the introduction of cross-border survey equipment through the border post of the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge.

The project team has led two types of geophysical exploration technologies performing the following tasks: TEM2GO (Transient Electromagnetic) and ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) This is a survey technique that relies on measuring the electrical properties of soil and rock layers to analyze underground structures finding cavities, caves, and groundwater flow routes.

However, due to the weather in the area, there is still heavy rain. As a result, the water level inside the cave rose rapidly. Coupled with mudslides occurred at some points, the operation area is at risk to the safety of personnel inside and outside the cave. Therefore, the exploration mission had to be temporarily terminated due to safety measures.