Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has issued a royal decree promoting and honouring the Thai Navy Seal diver who died in a rescue operation earlier this month for the 13 footballers trapped inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand.
Saman Kunan, 37, died on July 6 while placing oxygen tanks in the cave in preparation for the rescue, which was successfully completed last week over three consecutive days beginning on Sunday.
The king's decree promoted Saman to lieutenant commander while honouring him with the royal decoration of Knight Grand Cross (first class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
Thai military honour guards transport a coffin containing the remains of a former Thai Navy Seal Petty Officer 1st class Saman Kunan, Source: AAP
Saman was the only fatality in the operation.
“I love you so much,” his widow, Valeepoan Kunan, posted in a touching tribute on Instagram this week.
“I miss you. I love you like you are my very heart … from now on when I wake up … who will I kiss?”
Former Thai Navy Seal Petty Officer 1st class Saman Kunan. Source: AAP
The 12 young football players, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach were trapped inside the cave on June 23, after flash floods blocked their only exit.
The group is currently recovering in hospital in Chiang Rai province, near the Myanmar border, around 1,000 kilometres north of Bangkok.
A Thai Buddhist monk leads the guard of honour for the former Seal who died while trying to rescue the "Wild Boars" youth soccer team. Source: EPA
Today, authorities said the 12 Thai boys rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand will be discharged from hospital next week.
The "Wild Boars" and their coach are recovering both physically and mentally and will be discharged from hospital on Thursday, July 19, health minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said on Saturday.
Last week, the head of the rescue operation said the world should now turn to remembering Saman, who gave his life during the 17-day ordeal.
“Saman Kunan is the real hero,” Narongsak Osottanakorn said.
“On the day that he passed, the entire team was sad but we used this sorrow. We saw that he gave his life for this cause.”
