A royally sponsored funeral rite was held yesterday for former Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who died from a lack of oxygen in the early hours of yesterday morning during a mission to rescue 12 boys and their football coach from Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai provincial deputy governor Phatsakon Bunyalak yesterday confirmed the cause of death after he had initially been reported to have passed out while diving.
His Majesty the King, who expressed deep condolences after learning of the loss, gave instructions that Petty Officer 1st Class Saman be given a dignified funeral rite, Mr Phatsakon added.
After the tragedy, his body was sent to Fort Mengraimaharaj Hospital. It was then flown to Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri, Mr Phatsakon said.
A ceremony to receive the body was held yesterday about 3pm before it was taken to Wat Sattahip. A royal bathing rite was held at the temple at 5pm.
Reportedly his father, Wichai, 60, collapsed in grief when learning of the death of his son.
Today the Saman's body will be carried by aircraft to Roi Et, his home province, where his family also plan to hold a funeral rite.
Mr Phatsakorn explained that the fatal accident occurred while Petty Officer 1st Class Saman was trying to install an "air pipe" inside the cavern complex to pump fresh air into the cave around the clock.
However, the 38-year-old lost consciousness at about 1am during a dive to carry used air tanks to Chamber 3, about 1.7km from Nern Nom Sao slope where the 13 footballers are taking shelter.
The tragedy occurred shortly before Petty Officer 1st Class Saman was to complete his shift and be replaced by a new team of Navy Seal divers.
He was scheduled to leave Tham Luang yesterday and return to work as a senior security officer at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Petty Officer 1st Class Saman was a member of Class 30 of the navy's elite Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), nicknamed the Seals.
He was also a top sportsman. In 2010, he came first in Adventure Racing, a racing competition on Samui Island.
Petty Officer 1st Class Saman worked with Airports of Thailand Plc overseeing security-related jobs at Suvarnabhumi airport for 12 years after he left the navy.
"He volunteered to join the rescuers at Tham Luang using his annual leave," AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said.
"That tells you what kind of man he was."
Mr Nitinai said AoT will give one-million-baht in compensation to his family and is considering offering further help.