THAI-ED UP IN GOOD NEWS
Ah, good news! Don't you wish we had more of it! Well, recently we did. Background story to this first:
A few weeks ago a group of children who were members of the Wild Boars soccer team went into the Tham Luang cave in the Chiang Rai area of Thailand. No-one knew they were there until their coach, Ekapol Chantawong raised the alarm after finding the kids' cycles outside. He went into the cave to search. Then all of them got trapped by rising water from the monsoon rains. This is the bad news. Now for the good news.
As soon as it happened, things were set in place for rescuing the kids. The Thai Navy Seals, who were absolutely amazing went down into the cave system and when they got to the boys, they put in ropes and drilled larger holes in the cave system, with help from divers from the UK and US, so the kids could get out. Eventually there were so many people in the caves that the air started to run out for the trapped team, so more had to be taken in.The emergency services also helped by pumping gallons of water out of the cave to make it easier for the rescue. The local residents were amazing, providing food and drink, money and general help to the kids' families. The whole world became gripped by this amazing operation. A friend of one of the trapped children made 100 cranes as a way to bring him good fortune - following a Japanese tradition that has been around for years. And there were letters going in and out too.
It was the most amazing coming together of the community. A show of kindness, love and humanity. Something this world certainly needs more of.
There was a time factor involved. This was monsoon season and any minute the rain could pour down again, therefore re-flooding the cave. It was eventually decided that the best way to get the guys out was to literally swim them out. They were taught to dive and to use breathing masks. They were then taken out with a Navy Seal assigned to each of them. Just as they got the last boy out, the water pump broke and they had to sprint for the exit. Luckily they made it.
After a fortnight, all the team and their coach were rescued safely and taken to hospital to start their recovery.
It was an incredible well-planned undertaking and everyone (and I mean everyone) did a fantastic job. This was humanity at its best. I have nothing but praise for Navy Seals, the emergency services and all they people of the area who tried to do their bit and especially the children who were very brave considering their terrible circumstances.
The last thing I want to do is give a mention to Thai Navy Seal Saman Kunan. This guy unfortunately died from asphyxiation while trying to save the kids. He died a hero and should be honoured as such. RIP, sir and bravo to you.
Everything was on display here: love, compassion, heroism, bravery, determination, perserverence, people's faith in themselves, each other and in God. Basically everything that helps make a good news story exactly that.
And to give thanks for still having their lives and to honour Saman Kunan, the Wild Boars have now entered a monastery for nine days which is rather moving.
It was wonderful to have some good news for once. I wish everyone who was involved the very best. And I hope the kids grow up to have a wonderful life. After this, they deserve every good fortune. Oh, yeah, and lots of fried chicken!!
