Chiang Rai, 26 July, 2018 – The National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) has reported that the 11 boys of Mu Pa Academy youth football team and their coach, who were rescued from Chiang Rai’s flooded Tham Luang Cave, were ordained into the monkhood in a mass ordination ceremony held yesterday at Wat Phra Tat Doi Wao in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai.
Their ordination is to express gratitude to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and in dedication to Lt Cmdr. Saman Kunan, who lost his life during the rescue operation in Tham Luang Cave.
The 11 boys are to remain in the monkhood for a total of nine days while their coach will stay for the entire period of Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent). The only youth not joining the ordination is of another religion (Christian).
The NNT also quoted Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying that, a ‘thank you’ event is to be held for all involved in the rescue of the Mu Pa Academy youth football team on 1 August. The occasion is to acknowledge all involved for their display of unity and integrative work, which has been lauded by the international community.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided that a committee be set up to produce a film or documentary about the rescue of the 12 boys and their football coach. Members of the committee will be representatives of the offices involved, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture, to ensure the accuracy and sensitivity to the plight of the young footballers who were stranded in the cave.
