Museum ‘ready by Xmas’

CHIANG RAI: Construction of both a museum commemorating the rescue of the 12 Wild Boars and a statue of the ex-Navy Seal who gave his life for the mission has begun and is expected to be completed within the next five months, authorities said this week.

The design of the museum and the statue of Lt Cdr Saman Gunan is being overseen by national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat at a site near Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district, where the 12 boys and their coach were trapped in a flooded cave from June 23 to July 10.

Local artists and senior officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Royal Forest Department gathered outside the cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Nong Forest Park to launch the start of the project on Wednesday.

A religious ceremony was also conducted to honour certain deities and seek their blessing for the project.

The centre will memorialise the epic rescue of the 12 young footballers.

Mr Chalermchai, who is funding the 10-million-baht complex, said he was pleased the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment supported breaking ground on the project early.

The gallery will house a 3-metre by 13m canvas painted by artists at the Art Bridge Chiang Rai centre as well as photographs of the rescue operation, he said.

The statue of Lt Cdr Saman is about 40% complete, he said, adding that local rock carvers would supply two black granite rocks for the remainder.