Global cooperation boosted mission’s success
BANGKOK: An outpouring of global support resulted in the successful rescue of 12 boys and their coach from the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai, an effort in which Thailand’s hand was strengthened by the help of many foreign teams.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, in a televised message, extended his “sincerest gratitude” to all those who were involved in the mission, including volunteers, government officials, private companies and media, as well as the moral support of people across the world.
“Although the mission has been accomplished, images of people from all walks of life coming together to lend a helping hand, regardless of race or religious belief, will remain with all of us forever,” he said.
He also recalled the sacrifice of Petty Officer First Class Saman Kunan, a former Thai navy SEAL diver, who volunteered to take part in the operation and lost his life.
Prayut said Saman’s legacy “will forever be in our hearts”.
Country leaders, footballers and Hollywood celebrities also took to online social platforms to give courage to the Mu Pa Academy team and the teams trying to rescue them.
The United States’ top figures – President Donald Trump, VicePresident Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and First Lady Melania Trump – all tweeted in praise of the 18-day effort.
“Tremendously proud of the brave work of our @Pacific- Command colleagues and all those who supported the Thailand-led, multinational rescue team,” Pompeo tweeted, referring to forces sent from the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hisen Loong, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, Australian Foreign Minis- ter Julie Bishop and Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also expressed their delight on the success.
British football celebrity David Beckham posted photos of the 12 boys on his Instagram account, hailing the boys and their rescuers as heroes and Saman as “incredible”.
Assistance from seven countries including Laos, Myanmar, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and China contributed to the operation.
Dozens of other countries such as Sri Lanka, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Canada, France, India, South Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, Norway and New Zealand also offered communication technologies, cave drills, water pumps, cave and rescue experts to the Thai authorities. — The Nation/Asia News Network