Switching on the television and catching a glimpse of the news might make some people be sceptical of humanity. However, from time to time, the human race reminds us how it is like to be united.
Earlier this June, the story of twelve schoolboys and their football coach from Thailand’s rural north caught the attention of the whole world. Millions were glued to their screens as the world went on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Everyone waited for developments of the boys, hoping for good news to be shared.
And for almost 18 days, we also saw the beauty of humanity at its best. People had put aside their race, religion and nationality to come together with one common goal – to get the boys out of the cave, safe and sound.
ADVENTURE GONE WRONG
On 23 June 2018, a group of twelve boys aged between 11 and 17 from a local junior football team called the Wild Boars set out to explore a cave with their 25-year-old assistant coach, Ekkaphon “Ake” Chanthawong. Little did they know, an adventure to explore the cave for just an hour led them to a potentially life threatening situation.
Tham Luang is the fourth biggest Thai cave system that is a popular destination for day-trippers and those looking for an adventure. People have gone missing and it gets even more dangerous during the monsoon season. Once the cave floods, it’s risky even for experienced divers.
They eventually found themselves four kilometres from the cave entrance. They walked until they found a dry spot near a water source and stayed there. Coach Ake who was a former monk taught the boys meditation techniques and to use as little air as possible as well as to conserve their energy – they had no food and their only source of water was in the form of moisture dripping from cave walls. Outside the cave, a rescue operation was already in place.
RESCUE MISSION: NO ROLE TOO SMALL
The authorities called in the elite Thai Navy Seals, police and other rescue teams; a few local volunteers jumped on board the rescue as well. It was a dangerous and risky rescue mission as they figured out how to get to the boys and their coach. The heavy rainfall also posed a challenge for them.
Amid the busy rescue operations, news got around and the sense of community started to spread. The families of the boys kept awake at the cave, praying that the lives of the boys will be saved, including Coach Ake’s godmother, who climbed the mountain with fruits, incense and candles to show respect to the believed spirit that protects the cave.
Eventually, concerned teachers from the schools the boys were from also attended the vigil, hoping to be the first to welcome the boys. Their classmates held group prayers, sang songs and sent encouragement during the rescue mission. The selflessness of the villagers also shone through as they came together to help in their own way.
Villagers came together to donate money, and hundreds of packages of food to relatives of the boys and coach. Ms Rawinmart, who lived a 40 minutes’ drive from the neighbouring town of Mae Chan, delivered food to the soldiers and volunteers who were involved in the rescue. While she could have stopped there, she went beyond that . Ms Rawinmart, who owns a laundry shop, offered to wash their clothes for them. Together with a team, they collected the rescue workers’ kits at 9pm and got them ready by 4am.
In hopes of letting the rescue go smoothly, everyone played his or her part. Some farmers even sacrificed their livelihood, when water drained from the cave flooded their paddy fields. And while spirits were high, a fatal accident devastated everyone.
Former Navy Seal diver Saman Gunan was one of the volunteers who helped in the rescue. While on a routine run to deliver air tanks, he lost consciousness after running out of air for himself. His dive buddy pulled him out and tried to revive him but he could not be saved. Saman was only 38 years old.
And despite the grief, they knew the mission had to continue.
With news of the rescue spreading on social media and going international, more rescuers outside of Thailand came to offer their assistance. The first international rescuers arrived four days later. They came from the US, UK, Belgium and many other countries. There was even a Singaporean diver, Douglas Yeo. Authorities called some of the rescuers in, while many others were volunteers. Risking their lives, they only had one thing on their mind and that was to rescue the boys and their coach. But beyond the bravery of the rescuers, the boys and the coach, the incident reminds people of the beauty of humanity. How the identity of someone becomes secondary, in saving another human. And for those 18 days, the world also had a chance to see the selflessness of the Thai people.
There was no job too small for them. From donating food, cooking for the volunteers and rescuers, to cleaning the country park toilets and translating, everyone chipped in every way they could to help in the rescue mission.
Not only did they show the world what it means to be selfless, they also showed how big their hearts can be. Despite being worried and concerned about the safety of their children, the parents of the boys in no way blamed the coach for the tragic incident. The parents have openly said they forgave him and in fact, worried that he would blame himself.
This episode reminds us that not all heroes wear capes. It also reminds us that the small efforts are just as important. We get reminded that heroes exist in all forms, from the cooks, to the villagers, to the divers whose names we might never know.
While the story may seem right out of a Hollywood film, it is as real and compelling as it can get. At a time where it seems like the world is falling apart and when we seem to be at risk of falling into cynicism, that glimmer of humanity still shines just as bright. And hopefully, we will continue seeing such humanity in us as well. ⬛
Mysara Aljaru is a Master’s student at the Department of Malay Studies in National University of Singapore (NUS). Prior to that she was a current affairs producer with Channel NewsAsia.
