The Thai Consulate General office in Los Angeles tried to hire private rescue firms to retrieve the car that was submerged in a river below the 150-metre-high cliff along a route leading to Kings’ Canyon National Park.

The attempt was rejected and the Thai officials were informed that the California Highway Police and county sheriff’s office had the most qualified experts to do the job. The agency was due to start the recovery effort yesterday, but it has been postponed until tomorrow.

Families of Thiwadee Saengsuriyarit and Bhakapon Chairattanasongporn arrived in LA on the weekend after the University of Florida post-graduate students were reported missing on July 26.

Their families were initially informed that the US team would use either a helicopter or flying drone to check the vehicle on Monday, in order to locate the two students who are still listed as missing persons.

According to the Facebook page of the Thai Consulate General office in LA, the US agencies told the families on Sunday afternoon that a helicopter might not be able to land in the area due to strong winds and river current.

The job has been delayed tentatively until Wednesday in the US. “The families are more distraught after hearing the update,” according to the Facebook page.