Saman Kunan
{{Short description|Thai diver}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Saman Kunan
| image =
| native_name = สมาน กุนัน
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1980|12|23}}
| birth_place = Chaturaphak Phiman, Roi Et, Thailand
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|7|6|1980|12|23}}
| death_place = Chiang Rai, Thailand
| resting_place =
| occupation = Military diver, airport security guard
| honours = Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Order of the White Elephant
| module = {{Infobox military person
| embed = yes
|allegiance=Thailand
|branch = Royal Thai Navy
| rank = Petty officer first class
Lieutenant Commander (posthumous)
}}
}}
Saman Kunan ({{Langx|th|สมาน กุนัน}}; December 23, 1980 – July 6, 2018){{Cite news | url=http://www.naewna.com/local/350060 |title=ร.10พระราชทานน้ำหลวงอาบศพ'จ่าเอกสมาน กุนัน'| website=Naewna.com | language=th | access-date=2018-07-21}} was a Thai Navy SEAL. After leaving the Navy, he worked as a security guard at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He died during the Tham Luang cave rescue operation, earning him the title of 'Tham Luang Hero'.{{cite news |title=ภริยา ผบ.ซีล ร่วมอาลัยวีรบุรุษถ้ำหลวง เผย จำภาพสุดท้ายที่เห็นไม่มีวันลืม |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/1334507 |work=www.thairath.co.th |date=14 July 2018 |language=th}} Saman was posthumously awarded the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, one of the country's highest honors, by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
In honor of his sacrifice, several monuments and sculptures have been erected to commemorate his sacrificial contributions. These tributes serve as lasting symbols of respect and admiration for his courage and impact on the region.{{cite news |title=Sculptors, artists pour their hearts into tributes for Saman |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30349964 |work=nationthailand |date=12 July 2018}} He is featured in a large mural titled "The Heroes", which has been installed in the new memorial hall at the entrance of the Tham Luang cave.{{cite news |title=Cave-rescue mural now moved to official Tham Luang memorial |url=https://thethaiger.com/news/northern-thailand/cave-rescue-mural-now-moved-to-official-tham-luang-memorial |work=Thaiger |date=12 December 2018 |language=en}}
Personal life
Saman Kunan was born on 23 December 1980 in Chaturaphak Phiman. He is the son of Vichai and Samran Kunan. He attended the Naval Academy School and joined the Underwater Demolition Assault Unit, also known as the Thai Navy SEALs. Saman resigned from the unit in 2006 to work for Airports of Thailand PCL as a security guard at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.{{Cite news | last=Busby | first=Mattha | title=Thai navy Seals pay tribute to diver who died in cave rescue | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/thai-navy-seals-pay-tribute-diver-died-cave-rescue | work=The Guardian | date=6 July 2018}}{{Cite news | title='We won't let his life be in vain': Tributes pour in for Thai diver who died trying to save boys in cave | url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-cave-boys-rescue-seal-diver-die-tributes-saman-10505902 | work=Channel NewsAsia | date=6 July 2018 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=21 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103033/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-cave-boys-rescue-seal-diver-die-tributes-saman-10505902 | url-status=dead }} He was married to Valeepoan Kunan.{{Cite news | first=Amy Sawitta | last=Lefevre | title=Wife of Saman Kunan, the Navy SEAL who died in the Thai cave rescue, asks 'who will I kiss now?' | url=https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/wife-of-saman-kunan-the-navy-seal-who-died-in-the-thai-cave-rescue-asks-who-will-i-kiss-now/news-story/26d6b3d5122c9c7bf06a6b4dac4cc0b8 | work=news.com.au | date=12 July 2018}}
An athletic person, Saman was also an experienced triathlete, and a member of Nich-100Plus, a well-known Thai cycling team.{{Cite news | title=The world is remembering the Thai Navy SEAL who gave his life in the service of others | url=https://www.ntd.tv/inspiring/life/the-world-is-remembering-the-thai-navy-seal-gave-his-life-in-the-service-of-others.html | work=NTD News | date=11 July 2018}} He also practiced kayaking{{Cite news | title=เปิดประวัติ 'จ่าแซม'ผู้สละชีพเพื่อภารกิจถ้ำหลวง |url=https://www.tnnthailand.com/content/2608 | work=TNN | language=th}} and hiking.{{Cite news | first=Jessica | last=Kwong | title=Who was Saman Kunan? Thai cave rescue diver died trying to save soccer team | url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-saman-kunan-thai-cave-rescue-diver-died-trying-save-soccer-team-1013310 | work=Newsweek |date=8 July 2018}}
Cave rescue and death
{{Main|Tham Luang cave rescue#Death of rescue diver}}
File:Rescue equipment in Tham Luang entrance chamber (cropped 3).jpg
In June and July 2018, Saman was a volunteer diver in the Tham Luang cave rescue, an international rescue operation to extract 12 boys and their football coach trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non, a large cave system beneath the Doi Nang Non mountain. On the evening of 5 July, Saman and a diving partner entered the cave to place air tanks along a planned exit route.{{Cite news | title=Retired SEAL member dies in Tham Luang rescue operation | url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/retired-seal-member-dies-tham-luang-rescue-operation/ | work=Thai BPS | date=6 July 2018 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=21 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721074904/http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/retired-seal-member-dies-tham-luang-rescue-operation/ | url-status=dead }} On his way back, Saman ran out of air himself. His diving partner pulled him out of the water and performed CPR on Saman, but he did not regain consciousness. Saman was pronounced dead on 6 July, around 01:00.{{Cite news | first1=Liam | last1=Cochrane | first2=Supattra | last2=Vimonsuknopparat | title=Thai cave rescue: Former Navy SEAL working to rescue boys dies from lack of oxygen | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-06/rescue-worker-helping-thai-boys-in-cave-dies/9949622 | work=ABC News | date=7 July 2018}} Later that day, his body was moved out of the cave, brought to the Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai Airport and flown to the U-Tapao Airport, near Bangkok, to receive the royal funeral.
Funeral
On 7 July at 11:30, a funeral ceremony was held at the Roi Et Airport. A petty officer first class upon leaving the Navy, King Vajiralongkorn posthumously promoted Saman to lieutenant commander, an unprecedented rise of seven ranks. He was also awarded the Knight Grand Cross (first class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.{{Cite news | author=Online Reporters | title=Ex-Seal Saman posthumously promoted | url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1503426/posthumous-promotion-for-ex-seal | work=Bangkok Post | date=14 July 2018}}
On 14 July, Saman received a royal-sponsored cremation at the Wat Ban Nong Khu in the Roi Et province. The ceremony was attended by thousands of people.{{Cite news | title=Royally sponsored cremation held for cave hero Saman | url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/national/30350084 | work=The Nation | date=14 July 2018}}
In India, a sand sculpture of Lieutenant Commander Saman was created as a tribute to honor his bravery and contributions.{{cite news |title=สื่อนอกไว้อาลัย "จ่าสมาน" หลังภารกิจถ้ำหลวงสำเร็จ |url=https://www.posttoday.com/world/557218 |work=posttoday |date=11 July 2018 |language=th}} Iker Casillas, a former goalkeeper for the Spanish national team, who posted a photo of Saman on his Instagram and expressed his admiration.{{cite news |title=กาซียาสโพสต์รูปจ่าสมาน เชิดชูวีรบุรุษถ้ำหลวง เบ็คแฮมกดไลค์ |url=http://www.siamsport.co.th/other/other/view/79616 |work=Siamsport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713105314/http://www.siamsport.co.th/other/other/view/79616 |archive-date=13 July 2018}}
On 12 July 2018, a charity was organized in Phayao province to raise funds for the family of Navy Lieutenant Saman. Approximately 500-700 people participated in the event, which raised over 200,000 baht in donations.{{cite news |title=ชาวพะเยาจัด 'วิ่งนี้เพื่อจ่าแซม' ยอดบริจาคทะลุ 2 แสน |url=http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/807531 |work=bangkokbiznews |date=13 July 2018 |language=th}}
On 26 July 2018, a special football match was held at the Rajamangala Stadium to raise funds for his family. Six teams participated in the event, including Caravane, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Naval Academy, the Naval Special Warfare Command, {{ill|Mangpa Lo Klun|th|แมงปอล้อคลื่น}}, and the National Institute of Development Administration.{{cite news |title='น้องอดุลย์'เตรียมขอบคุณพระเจ้าให้ 'จ่าแซม' ที่สละชีวิตให้ 13 หมูป่า |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/1339058 |work=www.thairath.co.th |date=21 July 2018 |language=th}}
Legacy
File:Tham Luang - monument.jpg
A memorial site has been established in the vicinity of Tham Luang, which has become a major tourist attraction.{{Cite news | first=Theerawat | last=Khamthita |title=National aritst to build statue of ex-Navy seal | url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1502898/national-aritst-to-build-statue-for-ex-navy-seal | work=Bangkok Post | date=13 Jul 2018}}{{Cite news | first=Gavin | last=Fernando | title=Thai cave could be turned into a tourist attraction and Hollywood film |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/thai-cave-could-be-turned-into-a-tourist-attraction-and-hollywood-film/news-story/4b351c78d07a4ad66a4185efe8b60a24 | work=news.com.au | date=11 July 2018}} The site has brought together over 300 fellow artists from Chiang Rai to create paintings and photographs for a multipurpose pavilion.
After he became a national hero, a bronze statue of him, designed by renowned national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, was erected outside the Tham Luang cave. He is one of the key figures depicted in the film The Cave. Following a screening of the movie, his family was presented with THB 100,000.{{cite news |title=Rescue hero Sgt. Sam's family given sales from special showing of 'The Cave' |url=https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/cave-rescue-hero-sgt-sams-family-get-proceeds-from-special-film-screening/ |work=Coconuts |date=25 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706110132/https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/cave-rescue-hero-sgt-sams-family-get-proceeds-from-special-film-screening/ |archive-date=6 July 2022}}
In July 2019, the Airports of Thailand (AOT) established a large building named the Lt. Cdr. Saman Kunan Building in his honor. A 1.9-meter-wide by 2-meter-long bas-relief sculpture standing 2 centimeters high was installed in the building as a tribute.{{cite news |title=ทอท. เปิดป้าย "อาคาร นาวาตรี สมาน กุนัน" รำลึก 6 ก.ค. ครบ 1 ปี วีรบุรุษถ้ำหลวง |url=https://workpointnews.com/2019/07/06/aot-official/ |work=Workpoint News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706070406/https://workpointnews.com/2019/07/06/aot-official/ |archive-date=6 July 2019 |language=th}}
In 2022, the Hollywood biographical survival film Thirteen Lives was released, in which he was portrayed by actor Sukollawat Kanarot.{{cite news |last1=Sneider |first1=Jeff |title=Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton to Star in Ron Howard's Thai Cave Rescue Movie |url=https://collider.com/thirteen-lives-cast-thai-cave-movie-viggo-mortensen-colin-farrell/ |work=Collider |date=11 March 2021 |language=en}}
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
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