Illinois Thai Restaurant Owner Helped Save Boys Trapped In Cave

MARION, IL — An Illinois restaurant owner was called upon by the Thai military to help save the 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped inside a cave for more than two weeks. Tsanet Natisri and his wife Yada own and operate THAI-D Classic Thai Cuisine in downstate Marion, KTVS-TV reported, but he is also a groundwater expert.

The 31-year-old native of northeast Thailand had been on volunteer trip doing charity work helping rural Thai communities with water issues when he got a call from the authorities. The military wanted his help with the mission to rescue to the boys from the cave complex in Mae Sai in the northern Chiang Rai province after they were stranded by heavy rains, his wife told the Southern Illinoisan.

"I was doing a groundwater recharge project with the government when the military called me and asked for help," said Tsanet, who has been working with an international team of rescue personnel, told CBS News. "I'm in charge of the water situation for the whole rescue operation since June 30."

Tsanet said he was on the first plane after getting the call, and his wife told the Southern she had was surprised to see images of him on social media involved in the rescue effort after he arrived.

The first order of business was to set up pumps to remove as much of the water as possible from the cave, while rescue crews simultaneously looked for ways to divert any water flows in the area from getting into the cave.

Yada said within a few days of Tsanet's arrival, he had managed to find around 20 sinkholes that were allowing water to flow into the caves. She told KFVS she was not concerned about her husband's safety during the operation.

"I'm not really worried because he doesn't really need to get inside the cave," Yada said.

The Natisris opened THAI-D, the first Thai restaurant in Marion, in 2009. It has since become the No. 1 rated restaurant in town, according to Tripadvisor, and one of the best regarded Thai eateries in the state.

See more photos by Thanet Natisri of the Changrai Cave Rescue Mission »