Chiang Rai: Mu Pa team pay tribute to Saman Kunan
The Mu Pa Football players trapped in the Tham Luang Caves for almost three weeks paid tribute to the Navy SEAL who lost his life during the rescue operation.
Wiping away tears, the boys wrote messages of thanks on a portrait of the former Navy SEAL Saman Kunan, who died July 6 during an operation to deliver oxygen tanks to the trapped teens and their coach.
38 year old Kunan ran out of air while underwater, an official said at the time. The boys, ages 11 to 16 along with their 25 year old coach ‘Ake’, wrote messages of thanks and promised to be “good guys” on a portrait of Kunan.
Saman, widely lauded as “Tham Luang Hero”, was the only fatality in the operation. He was promoted posthumously to lieutenant commander by HM the King on Saturday to honour his sacrifice.
Doctors allowed the boys’ families to inform them about Saman’s death on Saturday after their physical and mental health had improved to a satisfactory level.
The last boys and the assistant coach were evacuated from the cave on July 10, wrapping up a daring three-day operation. They were placed under medical care, including health check-ups, at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital. They were found to be weak and suffering from exhaustion after 10 days inside the cave without food before being discovered.
SOURCES: CNN, Thai PBS, The Nation
