Thailand thanks India for offering assistance in cave rescue mission
Thailand has thanked India for offering assistance in the rescue of 12 young football players and their coach after 18 days from a flooded cave in northern Thailand.
"I would like to thank India for offering its help. The Royal Thai Embassy has been receiving many messages from our Indian friends caring for our children trapped in the cave. The gesture that India has shown to us will not be forgotten," Charge d'Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in India Apirat Sugondhabhirom told ANI on Tuesday.
The Indian embassy in Bangkok informed the Thai authorities that the Kirloskar Brothers, an Indian company with expertise in pumping and flood management, can help drain out excess water from the cave.
"The (Thai) Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked for the generous offer and have conveyed this to the interior ministry. We will not forget this help," Apirat noted.
On July 4, Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote to EAM Sushma Swaraj to acknowledge and express gratitude towards numerous helping hands extended by Indian public and private sector units for the rescue mission.
Highlighting India's role in the mission Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on Thursday tweeted: "How many of us know that in the Thai cave episode, Indian team played a major role??
Thailand requested India to send Flood Pumps of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. Co. Pune.
Chief of design,Prasad Kulkarni and his team reached there on Friday evening and helped the authorities"
The Thai envoy, however, clarified to ANI that there were no Indian companies or professionals engaged in the rescue operations.
Trapped in the flooded cave since Jun 23, the soccer team and its coach were found alive on June 2. It took a team of international experts and divers over a week to finally rescue the boys.
Thai PM thanks people involved in cave rescue
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha thanked people involved in the rescue of the 12 boys and coach trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks. Prayuth gave a televised national address on Wednesdday, saying the government's efforts, the assistance of people in Thailand and abroad, and the outpouring of moral support made the mission a success.
He also acknowledged the loss of a former navy SEAL, Saman Kunan, who died last week while replenishing air tanks inside the cave.
Prayuth said, "His honour, sacrifice and legacy will forever be in our hearts."
