Monks, parents pray for safety of 13 trapped in Mae Sai cave

Leading monks pray for the safe return of 13 people trapped inside Than Luang cave, at Wat Sri Khom Kham in Phayao, on Wednesday. (Photo by Saiarun Pinaduang)

Monks and parents of the 12 boys and a 25-year-old man trapped inside Tham Luang prayed for their safety on Wednesday as rescuers continued their frantic search of the labyrinthine cave.

Phra Ratchapariyat, the chief monk of Phayao, held a religious ceremony with monk representatives from throughout the province at Wat Sri Khom Kham in Muang district, chanting for 12 teenage footballers and their coach to be safe and for rescue teams to find them.

"The ceremony is to guard them from all dangers and see them return to their families," Phra Ratchapariyat said.

The group went inside the cave in the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Mae Sai district of neighbouring Chiang Rai on Saturday afternoon. They have not returned since.

Rescuers have been trying to locate and take them out of the cave since they were reported missing on that day.

The boys are members of the Moo Paa Academy football club and went inside the cave after an afternoon practice session with coach Ekkapol Chantawong.

Family members of 12 boys and their coach hold a candlelight ceremony for their safety outside Tham Luang camp in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, on Tuesday night. (Photo by Saiarun Pinaduang)

Their parents and relatives have been waiting outside the cave mouth as rescue team members try to penetrate flooded chambers deep inside the cavern to reach the stranded players and their trainer.

Their family members held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night with hope that the light would guide them back safely.

Phra Khru Saengla Thammasiri, the abbot of Wat Phra That Sai Muang in the Myanmar town of Thachilek opposite Mae Sai, also came to the cave to pray for them.