The wife of the former Navy Seal who died trying to rescue 12 boys and their football coach trapped in the Tham Luang caves vowed on Sunday to emulate the unforgettable courage shown by her husband.
- Related story: Boys rescued from cave mourn diver who died
The family and friends of Lieutenant Commander Saman Gunan held a final religious ceremony at Wan Ban Nong Khu in Chaturaphak Phiman district in Roi Et province, collecting the charred remains of his body to complete the royally-sponsored funeral rites. The ashes will be floated in the Mekong River.
Despite the loss of her husband, Mrs Waleeporn said LCrd Saman would stay with her in spirit forever and had set an example for her to follow.
"Sam now takes care of everybody in heaven. I will follow in his footsteps here," she said in tears, calling him by his nickname. "We stay together and we are in each other's hearts forever."
LCrd Saman, who worked as a security officer at Suvarnabhumi airport after retiring from the Navy Seal unit, on July 6 passed out during a dive in Tham Luang cave and was later pronounced dead. He had volunteered to help rescue 12 boys and their football coach trapped by floodwater deep inside the cave in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, and was the only fatality in the successful operation.
His Majesty the King has posthumously promoted him from petty officer 1st class to the rank of lieutenant commander to honour his dedication.
Video from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said the Tourism Authority of Thailand had made a short video to show Thailand's appreciation to the world community for its support of Thai rescuers in the 18-day mission. The video has been aired by CNN, he added.
The boys and the coach are receiving treatment at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital and are expected to leave on Thursday.
An artist on Sunday works on a giant painting of the operation to rescue 12 boys and their football coach inside the Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai province. (AP photo)
The rescue will also be commemorated by a giant painting and a statue to the late LCdr Saman. Painter Chalermchai Kositpipat and some 300 other artists are portraying "The Heroes" on a huge canvas that will depict the dramatic deeds of the late Thai Navy Seal and other rescuers, and plan to install it in a chamber inside the cave.
The renowned artist, who is a native of Chiang Rai, visited the cave on Sunday to choose a location for the statue, which is still on the drawing board. It will be finished in six months, according to Mr Chalermchai.
"The posture of the statue will show Sam's strong determination to go inside the cave. It will stand facing the cave," he said.
