Thai official who helped lead cave rescue is Ohio State grad
The man who played a key role in coordinating the harrowing rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from an 18-day ordeal inside the Tham Luang cave complex in Thailand is an Ohio State University graduate.
Narongsak Osatanakorn, 57, is the governor of Chiang Rai, a northern province of Thailand where the caves are located.
Osatanakorn lived in Columbus from 1985 until 1988 while he was studying geodetic engineering and surveying at Ohio State University. He earned his master’s degree in 1988.
The university learned about Osatanakorn’s starring role from another alumnus, who emailed the alumni magazine to say how he was proud of how a fellow Buckeye showed leadership, said Matthew Schuette, communications director for Ohio State’s College of Engineering.
“He’s been getting rave reviews in his own country,” Schuette said.
An article on the Nation News Network website in Thailand said that Osatanakorn had emerged as “one of the knights in shining armor” during the mission to save the 13 from the flooded cave.
He helped launch the rescue efforts, which started June 23 when flash floods inside the cave complex stranded the young soccer players and their coach miles from the cave entrance.
“Many observers were amazed at the multiple skills that Narongsak demonstrated,” the Nation News article said.
One of his duties was to handle the international media, which descended on the remote location to report the ongoing drama. Osatanakorn provided briefings and he used social media to knock down rumors, the Nation News said.
Besides taking on the public duties, Osatanakorn would daily visit with the families as they endured the torturous wait.
But while Osatanakorn won international attention for stepping into the breach, he also apparently annoyed the ruling junta for being a stickler and not going along with some of their construction projects, according to The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
It was decided months ago that Osatanakorn would be transferred to the governorship of a smaller province. The move was publicly announced during the midst of the rescue efforts.
Many Thais on social media wondered why a man who had been so effective during a crisis could be moved. The government insisted that it was only the usual annual reshuffle of bureaucrats, The Sydney Morning Herald said.
Osatanakorn, in social media posts, said little about the transfer. “I love Chiang Rai ... I love everyone.”