They will then tie the car to the helicopter, which will then lift it to a safe spot before colฌlectin…g the remains of Thiwadee Saengsuriyarit, 24, and Bhakapon Chairattanasongporn, 28, postgraduate stuฌdents at the South Florida University.

Efforts to retrieve their bodies have been delayed because of the high water level and strong currents in the river as well as the bad weather, which could have threatened the safety of the rescue teams.

The operation has been scheduled now as the flow of the river and water level have reached levels that will not make it unsafe for the rescuers.

The Thai Consulate Office in Los Angeles said on its Facebook page that it was informed of the decision by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. The delay in retrieving the remains had led to some criticism of US agenฌcies who were viewed as not wanting to recover the bodies because the victims were Asian, not Americans.

The Sheriff’s office said it was not sure how long the recovery operation would take. It suggested that consulate officials and relaฌtives of the victims arrive at the site at around 8am9am local time.

At the request of the families of the vicฌtims, the Consulate will seek permission from local authorities to bring a monk to the site to conduct a religious ceremony for both stuฌdents.

After the remains of Thiwadee and Bhakapon are collected, they would be sent for an autopsy and identity confirmation before being transferred to a cemetery in Los Angeles for Buddhist rites and cremation.

The family of Thiwadee intends to bring the ashes back to Thailand while Bhakapon’s family plans to scatter the ashes in California.