Staff Writer
On Monday, hundreds of people came to commemorate the dramatic five-year rescue of 12 young football players from a flooded cave in northern Thailand against all odds.
The boys, who were now in their late teens, and their coach, Ekkapol Chantawong, entered the dimly lit Tham Luang cave complex chambers to pay respects to the countless individuals who toiled for 18 days and nights to free them.
In June 2018, the “Wild Boars” team entered the complex and became stranded as heavy rains inundated the area. They were freed following a daring international rescue mission to universal praise.
Ekkapol claimed, “If it weren’t for these folks, we wouldn’t have lived, and wouldn’t be here now.
“I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
The happy anniversary, however, was overshadowed by the loss of the team’s captain, Duangpetch Promthep, 17, who died earlier this year while in Britain on a football scholarship.
Outside the caverns, surrounded by throngs in the blazing sun and vibrant jungle flora, his former teammates lay white flowers at a memorial picture of him.
Additionally, a video tribute was shown inside the cave to former Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, who passed away last month and received praise for how he handled the situation.
Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of natural resources and the environment, said, “We must not forget the efforts of everyone involved in the rescue mission, especially of those who are no longer here with us.”
Offerings were also made to Jao Mae Nang Nong, a mythological princess who was regularly consulted for strength during the rescue and who is thought to be the ghost of the caves where she is purported to have perished.
amazing rescue
On June 23, 2018, the lads were visiting the cave complex for a day trip when torrential rains caused the complex’s underground streams to overflow.
They were believed to be dead until two British cave divers discovered them on July 2, stranded in a deep chamber four kilometers (2.5 miles) from the entrance after negotiating a number of tight passageways and corridors.
The following challenge was removing the boys and their coach from the caves safely.
They were carried through the complex while under anesthesia by foreign cave explorers, experienced divers, and a group of Thai navy SEALs, including Saman Kunan, who passed away during the rescue.
The lads and their coach all survived despite the odds.
Following their rescue, Adul Sam-on, one of the football players who gained notoriety for thanking the divers in English, along with his coach and two teammates, were all given Thai citizenship.
The now-19-year-old said in a Monday interview that he had recently graduated from high school in the United States and would soon be entering college.
The lads themselves have largely avoided the spotlight despite the steady stream of books, TV shows, and movies that have been made about the rescue.
Mark, also known as Mongkol Booneiam, claimed to still reside and play football in a nearby community.
He said, “If I have free time, I’d try to go play.”
