"Rescuers are making every effort to extract at least the strongest of the trapped footballers from a Thai cave before heavy rains forecast for Saturday, according to a military source."
"The pressure we are experiencing comes from working against the weather, as the forecasts tell us there will be heavy rain in this area within 48 hours," he said."
"Navy source says two of the boys are in a weaker condition.
He said the 25-year-old coach, who sacrificed his share of food, is also feeling weak.
The source dismissed reports that water levels inside the cave had dropped by 40 per cent."
"The navy source said rescue coordinators face tough choices and there are differences of opinion among those providing assessments."
(Chiang Rai Provincial Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn) "I have asked the doctor and the SEAL team who are working on the rescue operation to assess the situation and see what risk level we can take."
"For example, if we can accept the 90 per cent safety level, and if all conditions are at that 90 per cent, then we are ready to bring them out. And that's what we are prepared for."
"The navy source said the biggest challenge for the boys would be a 200-metre stretch of completely flooded cave that makes up part of the 600-metre section between so-called "Pattaya Beach" and Chamber Three, where an operation centre has been set up.
From Chamber Three it is still another 2 kilometres to the cave entrance.
Some parts of the journey will be walkable."
Desperate push to free boys from Thai cave within 48 hours, before heavy rains hit - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)