Thai soccer boys pray for protection from misfortune

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The Thai soccer boys and their coach paid a visit to a Buddhist temple to pray for protection from misfortune on Thursday, their first day back home with their families since being rescued from a flooded cave.

All but one of the boys and the coach kneeled and pressed their hands in prayer to the tune of chanting monks.

The remaining member of the Wild Boars soccer team – Adul Sargon – is not a Buddhist and did not attend the ceremony, meant to extend one’s life and protect it from dangers.

The team members were joined by relatives and friends at the Wat Pra That Doi Wao temple, overlooking Myanmar on Thailand’s northern border.

The team has already said they would ordain as Buddhist novices to honor a former Thai navy SEAL diver who died in the cave while making preparations for their rescue.

On Wednesday evening, the boys and coach faced the media for the first time since their ordeal, describing their surprise at seeing two British divers rising from muddy waters in the recesses of the cave. It would be another week before they were pulled out of the Tham Luang cave.

“We weren’t sure if it was for real,” 14-year-old Adul said. “So we stopped and listened. And it turned out to be true. I was shocked.”

In one poignant and emotional moment at the news conference, a portrait was displayed of Saman Gunan, the Thai diver who died. One of the boys, 11-year-old Chanin “Titan” Vibulrungruang, the youngest of the group, covered his eyes as if wiping away a tear.

Asked what he had learned from their experience, 13-year-old Mongkol Boonpiam said he felt stronger. “I have more patience, endurance, tolerance,” he said.

The Navy Seals of Thailand lead the rescue effort which saved the Thai soccer boys and their football coach who had been trapped in a deep cave system in July 2018. /VCG Photo

Adul said it had taught him “not to live life carelessly.”

While many of the boys wanted to be pro soccer players when they grow up, at least four of them said they hope to become navy SEALs, so they could help others.

All expressed their apologies to their families.

“I wanted to apologize to my parents. I know that I will get yelled at by mom when I get home,” said Pornchai Kamluang, 16.

Ekarat said sheepishly he wanted to apologize to his parents because while he told them he was going to a cave, he told them the wrong one.

“I told them I was going to Tham Khun Nam,” he said. “I didn’t tell them I went to Tham Luang. So I was wondering how they found us at the right cave.”

Source(s): AP