Clinging On to Dear Life

Inside, the boys were struggling with thirst and hunger. Luckily for them, they had a steady supply of drinkable water in the form of liquid drippings from the stalactites.

They were even more fortunate to have their coach accompanying them during this dilemma. Coach Ek, as he’s called, happens to be a former monk student. He gave the kids crash course on meditation which, according to him, helped them conserve energy as well as keeping them calm in those trying times.

A Supportive Community

It was well into the third day since the rescue mission began when the on-going incident caught the world’s attention. More than 1,500 journalists from all over the globe flocked in Mae Sai to cover the grueling event.

Not only the press: survival specialists from the US, France, the UK, and Australia came in to lend a hand. These brave people were instrumental in the discovery and rescue of the 12 young boys.

Support groups were also coming over to offer what they can to help alleviate the situation. Massage shops set up make-shift venues to ease out the stress felt by everyone else during those days. And they did it all for free.

Soon, a number of food stalls began popping up throughout the site, giving warm meals for everyone involved in the rescue efforts.

Buddhist monks were also present to offer prayers while at the same time consoling the parents of the kids. The families, by the way, refused to leave the site not until they see their children come out of the peril.

The Second of July

This was supposed to be a memorable date for everyone. It was on this day that British divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton made a distance breakthrough to find the poor lost souls.

More than a couple of miles from the main entrance of Tham Luang cave, the two divers finally found the 12 boys and their coach alive albeit struggling to make themselves comfortable while being stranded on a piece of boulder surrounded by water. The discovery was recorded on both divers’ body cameras.

Blood Has Been Shed

It was already on the 6th of July. The usual routine was for the volunteer-divers to deliver provision including food, water, and air tanks to the boys inside the cave. This was the temporary situation while the rescue organizers were still working on how to safely get the boys out.

One of the divers who did the run was a former Navy Seal diver Saman Gunan. While on his way, Gunan ran out of air and lost consciousness. His buddy tried to revive him but he could not be saved.

Gunan’s funeral was held that day and Buddhist monks were there to officiate the rites.