It was joyous to thank the divers in person.. they gave us this new life
Cave boys honour rescuers with bravery gongs
FOR 17 days they were trapped in a cave with no food and dwindling oxygen, the only sounds the drip of water from stalactites and each other’s weakening voices.
But when the 12 Thai lads were reunited with their rescuers at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, the noise they heard was a rapturous standing ovation.
Four months after their ordeal, the schoolboys and their football coach flew to the UK for our awards ceremony.
On Monday night they handed Outstanding Bravery Awards to five of the men to whom they owe their lives. They were from a British Cave Rescue Council team, which included expert divers John Volanthen, Jason Mallinson, Rick Stanton, Chris Jewell, Josh Bratchley and Connor Roe, who found the Wild Boars football team in the extensive cave system and brought them all safely out. Speaking through a translator, coach Eak Jantawong, 25, told the Mirror: “We want to say thank you so many times to our rescuers, it would take the rest of our lives. We say it in our minds all the time and always will.
“It was joyous to see the divers again, hug them, and thank them in person. They gave us this new life.” The boys, who are amazed by the attention they have received, shared touching observations of the UK. Nick, 15, said: “The best thing about being in Britain is seeing the traffic so organised in neat, narrow lines. And the drivers are so polite. “Cars are very posh and it is very difficult to find motorbikes here. The strangest and funniest thing was seeing grey telephone boxes and red double-
decker buses. And we did not believe that the clocks would be wound back.”
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho invited them to train with the youth squad, and meet legends Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson.
Pong, 13, said: “We’d never have dreamed to sit that close to the pitch, see famous people, hear the cheers. We never dreamt we’d have a training session with Man United junior school and such a warm welcome.”
Hospitality included a roast dinner, but the boys “did not understand gravy and Yorkshire pudding”. Tle, 14, said: “British food tastes OK. It’s very different from Thai food, not as spicy.
“It’s all a new experience for us. We didn’t like cheese because we’re not used to having it in Thailand.” The boys made a special trip to the Leicester City’s grounds to pay an emotional tribute to Thai club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash on Saturday.
They were again moved to tears when they met the divers again, this time on ITV’s This Morning yesterday.
On June 23 the boys became trapped in a flooded cave complex in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.
Tee, 16, said: “We rode our bicycles to the caves, which we usually pass on the way to football practise, and decided to see the beauty of them.
“We didn’t bring any food with us, we hadn’t expected to be in there long.
“But when it was time to come out, we walked back to the junction and realised it was flooded. We started to worry when the water began to rise.” One mum raised the alarm when her son did not return from football. The police found the bikes at the entrance to the caves.
Tee said: “We brought flashlights but not water. Coach Eak told us to drink only water that dripped from the stalactite because it was clear.”
Meanwhile a rescue operation was launched involving experts from across the world.
Specialists pumped out water but rescuers were forced to turn back in rising flood water. Former Thai Navy Seal Saman Kunan tragically died during a dive to place oxygen tanks. Torchlight pictures showed the group looking thin and dishevelled, crouched on a ledge. The rescue at times seemed impossible. But the boys stayed calm.
Wild Boars captain Dom, 13, said: “We had hope and faith someone would come to help us.
“We hoped our parents were helping us out there. We didn’t realise that there were so many people helping us.”
The British divers took food and medical supplies to the boys, as well as passing on messages to their families, before bringing them out.
The boys’ heads bow deep with gratitude when they talk of them. Adul, 14, said: “We were very pleased to see the divers. We always had hope. God blessed us all.”
We’re very grateful, we don’t want to be famous TITAN, 12, ON HOPES OF RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE
The group spent time recuperating in hospital and missed home.
Titan, 12, said: “I just wanted to come back to my normal life, enjoying meals together with my family.”
Life for them has changed dramatically since. Titan went on: “We know so many more people than we know were concerned about us and are very grateful for their thoughts.
“We don’t want to be famous. We want our normal life, just playing football. We promise to be good boys to our parents, we will focus on our education, and above all be good people and contribute to our society.”
Before their ordeal, their favourite Britons were David Beckham, Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. But Dom said: “Now, our favourites are definitely the divers.
“We still love football, but the divers gave us our futures.”