Aussie doctor's accent 'relaxed' trapped Thai boys
- by Kelli Lowe
- in Global Media
- — Jul 14, 2018
His incredible efforts drew special praise from the leader of the rescue mission, acting Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotanakorn.
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Without the (Thai navy) SEALs, the officials, and everyone who came and helped, Dom wouldn't be here today.
Twelve members of the Wild Boars junior soccer team and their 25-year-old coach were freed from Thailand's Tham Luang Cave earlier this week after spending two weeks trapped inside the flooded cave system.
The parents of the 12 boys from the Wild Boar football team shed tears of relief and joy on Wednesday afternoon (Jul 11) when they visited them at Chiang Rai hospital.
Expert divers from the Thai Navy SEALs, experienced in conventional diving situations, were faced with an unprecedented challenge.
Rick Stanton, who was one of the first British divers to approach the team in the cave on July 2, described the relief he felt as he learned the boys were all alive.
"We're not heroes", Volanthen said, despite headlines in the British newspapers describing him and the other global rescuers as just that.
"What we do is very calculating".
The Telegraph online reported that Volanthen returned home to Bristol to be reunited with family.
"And all this time four fearless Navy Seals sat with the Wild Boars knowing they were in as much danger as the kids".
Banphot Konkum, father of Duangpetch Promthep, shows a picture of his son during an interview in Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Friday, July 13, 2018.
Rescuers pulled off the miraculous life-saving mission despite daunting odds over the course of three dramatic days, successfully completing the operation on Tuesday when the last four boys and their coach were removed from the cave.
A mother of one of the SEAL members who participated in this operation, Sumalee Maksri, said she was delighted that her son successfully completed his mission, adding that she previously felt anxious because he did not give any details of his assignment.
"We're just very happy that the boys are out and safe", Volanthen said.
"The pressure that was put on these guys was vast and they never dropped the ball for a second", Dr Harris said in a Facebook post detailing the operation.
"I think Dr. Harry, the Australian doctor, he's very good", Volanthen said.
"He's got a very bouncy Australian accent, and they seemed to find that quite relaxing and reassuring".
Banphot said all 13 rescued team members will enter the monkhood to pay tribute to Saman Kunan, a former Thai navy SEAL who died while diving to place essential supplies along the rescue route.
"It's an absolute tragedy", he said.
