CHIANG RAI: The members of the Wild Boars football team, whose rescue from the flooded Tham Luang cave gripped global audiences, have completed their time as novice Buddhist monks.
Eleven young footballers and their 25-year-old coach were ordained 10 days ago to give thanks and show gratitude to all those who helped throughout their three-week ordeal. One team member, 14-year-old Adul Sam-on, is a Christian and was not ordained.
A religious ceremony was held on Saturday to mark the end of the boys’ stay at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in tambon Wiang Pangkham. Phra Ekapol Wisarntho, formerly coach Ekapol "Ake" Chanthawong, is remaining at the temple as a monk for an extended period.
About 300 people gathered for the ceremony on a rainy Saturday morning as the boys prepared to return to their families. Those attending gave alms -- flowers, food and money -- as a gesture of their devotion.
With their heads bowed, the boys prayed as monks chanted sacred texts. They placed new monks' robes on a table beneath a portrait of Saman Gunan, the former Thai Navy Seal who died while diving during a mission to resupply the cave with air tanks.
They then changed into white shirts and blue trousers to signal their return to their regular lives.
Mae Sai monk chief Phra Putthiwongwiwat and Mae Sai district chief Somsak Khanakham co-chaired the ceremony.
Twelve boys, aged 11-16, and their coach went into the Tham Luang cave complex on June 23 after a football practice and were trapped by floods from monsoon rains.
A daring and risky international rescue effort involving hundreds of volunteers succeeded in extracting them from the cave.
The ordination of boys and their coach was especially dedicated to Saman.
An exhibition was planned later on Saturday at the temple to thank all the people involved in the rescue operation.
More than 4,000 photos about the rescue mission were on display at the exhibition. Various other activities and performances are also planned.
The 11 members of the Wild Boars offer prayers prior to changing out of their robes at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Mae Sai. (Photo by Theerawat Khamthita)
