Twelve of the Tham Luang Cave Survivors to be Ordained as Buddhist Monks for Nine Days

 

CHIANG RAI – Twelve of the thirteen Tham Luang survivors will become ordained as Buddhist monks on July 25th for nine days to honor His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign, and the former Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who passed away during the rescue mission.

Chiang Rai Governor Prachon Prachsakul and related officials made the announcement to the media today. Director of Mae Sai Hospital Dr. Sirisak Nantha also announced that the 13 survivors have regained their strength at a remarkable rate and thanked the media for respecting the rights and privacy of the 12 young footballers and their coach.

The football team will meet medical personnel again later today for another checkup ahead of their ordination at Wat Phra That Doi Tung. Eleven boys and their 25-year-old football coach will be ordained on July 25th. The other rescued boy is Christian.

The 12 survivors will leave the monk-hood on August 4th.

Meanwhile, the Chiang Rai Provincial Administration has made plans to hold a thank you event for all those involved in the Tham Luang Cave rescue operation, on August 1st in front of Dusit Palace under the title “United as One”.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister, Suwaphan Tanyuwattana elaborated today that an event to thank all involved in the rescue of the 13 members of Moo Pa Academy youth football team from Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai province will take place August 1, 2018 from 6pm to 8pm in front of Dusit Palace, noting that the occasion will be appropriate and simple.

Those to be invited include all Thais who took part in the operation from civil servants and police to soldiers, volunteers, representatives of foundations and the wife of former Thai Navy Seal Saman Kunan, who lost his life during the mission, rescuers from abroad, members of both Thai and foreign media and members of the Thai public who took a supporting role.

By Nuppol Suvansombut