Thailand's Navy SEAL divers are welcome and praised as heroes when return to their base

News24xx.com - Navy SEALs marine elite divers team got a warm welcome when they returned to the base after rescuing 12 teenagers and their coach which trapped inside a cave in Northern Thailand. The SEAL dive team landed near the capital Bangkok after being with foreign divers, including from Australia involved in a rescue mission in Chiang Rai.

The 18-day drama took the lives of a former Navy SEAL Saman Kunan diver who died on the rescue mission. Those involved in each operation received a garland in a ceremony attended by navy soldiers as well as civilians. Some of the attendees also gave red roses to them.

"I want to convey a message to the children to make their lives useful and to contribute to the country," said Rear Admiral Arpakorn Yookongkaew, who led the Navy SEAL team in operation, after they landed. "What they had experienced can be an inspiration for the younger generation."

Health officials said the surviving teens had to spend at least a week in the hospital, and about 30 days at home to restore their health after more than two weeks trapped inside the cave.

News24xx.com/fik/red