(2 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok – 1 April 2025
1. Wide of handlers leading dogs out of holding area
2. Wide of team entering tent where relatives of missing are waiting
3. Wide of dogs among the relatives with people reacting and stroking
4. Various of people smiling and petting the dogs
5. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Samran Khotchomphun, Grandchildren missing after quake:
"I told them that I still have hope. Please help find my grandchildren. It’s been several days. Please find them. My hope is hanging on you”.
6. Various of the dogs resting ahead of their prime function which is finding people under the rubble
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok – 2 April 2025
7. Various of work at site where a building collapsed during earthquake
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok – 1 April 2025
8. Various of people reacting to the dogs
9. Wide of Deputy Director of Thailand Rescue Dog Association and K9 USAR, Alongkot Chukaew
10. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Alongkot Chukaew, Thailand Rescue Dog Association/K9 USAR:
“I believe their gentleness is what gives spirit to the relatives. It’s also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.”
11. Various of relatives with dogs
STORYLINE:
For most of the day, the mood was somber among relatives of dozens of workers missing at the site where a multi-story building collapsed in Bangkok.
But each day, a simple act of thoughtfulness restores smiles to their faces.
A volunteer group with sniffer dogs takes time away from its grim task of searching the rubble to bring the animals on a visit.
On Tuesday evening, golden retrievers Sahara, Safari and Tua Lek spread smiles as they weaved between the beds where people were waiting to hear about their loved ones. The dogs relieved the anxiety, albeit briefly, as the relatives stretched out to pat and stroke them and feed them treats.
Samran Khotchomphun said she has been waiting for her missing grandson and granddaughter since the first day of the collapse. She said she cried through the first three days because she couldn’t cope with the situation.
Samran said the dogs offered her brief comfort and hope on day five of the search and rescue operations.
"I told them that I still have hope. Please help find my grandchildren. It’s been several days. Please find them. My hope is hanging on you,” she said, wiping away tears.
The dogs are with the Thai Rescue Dog Association/K9 USAR Thailand, a non-profit group that works closely with the Thai government in disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. During the day the 12 dogs rest up, awaiting their mission.
At least 22 people died in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, more than 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the center of the magnitude 7.7 quake in Myanmar on Friday, which killed more than 2,000 people there.
Fifteen people were found dead at the site of the high-rise building that collapsed during the earthquake, according to the Bangkok city authorities. Around 70 of them remain missing.
While they are not trained therapy dogs, Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the group, said experience showed that they can help give moments of comfort to disaster victims.
They chose the dogs that are gentle to visit the relatives, he said. “I believe their gentleness is what gives a spirit to the relatives. It’s also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.”
AP Video by Jerry Harmer
===========================================================
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/566b06ad704d49a6b0b68b3f966e286a
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in April 7, 2025, 6:05 am.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
