The recipient of the 2018 Asia Game Changer Award, Phayao governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, said he hopes the the rescue of 12 young footballers and their assistant coach from Tham Luang cave would lead to more people doing good deeds in the future.
"The mission (was conducted without regard) for race or nationality, and it united humanity as a whole. With over 10,000 people involved, even if one function was missing, we would not have been able to do it," he said at the Asia Society's award presentation held in New York on Tuesday night.
"I hope this experience inspires people to start living for others," said Mr Narongsak. "That would be a game changer for the world."
He was accompanied by Wild Boars assistant coach Ekkapol Chantawong and player Adul Sam-on, who also showed their appreciation to everyone involved in the rescue.
"Thank you for the support from the government, organisations, volunteers, media and specialists from all over the world who came to work together with faith and trust. Above all, we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the royal family for their continuous support," the former Chiang Rai governor said on behalf of the rescue team.
The 12 Wild Boars footballers and their assistant coach were trapped in the cave on June 23 before finally being rescued on July 10.
During the event at the Asia Society on Tuesday, 14-year-old Adul recalled the moment two British divers made it through the flooded tunnel to reach the group.
He spoke limited English, but was able to call out "thirteen" when a diver asked how many people were trapped.
Prior to the event, Adul and his teammates were in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they played a match against an Argentinian youth soccer team.
They also participated in the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games, where they were welcomed by Argentine President Mauricio Macri.
Meanwhile, Argentine Vice-President Gabriela Michetti said the successful cave rescue brought much encouragement to her and other people around the world. She also stressed to the young footballers that unity would contribute to strength of the team.
Narongsak Osatanakorn (right), ex-governor of Chiang Rai and the public face of the Tham Luang rescue operation, speaks at the 2018 Asia Game Changer Award ceremony at the Asia Society in New York. From left, Wild Boars assistant coach Ekkapol Chantawong, player (and new Thai citizen) Adul Sam-on, and Asia Society discussion host Tom Nagorski. (AP photo)
In a separate development in Chiang Rai, a landscape renovation outside the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non forest park is making progress, ahead of an expected influx of tourists visiting the site as the city hosts the 46th Jiang Hai Games from Nov 18-28.
Conservation officer Kamolchai Kotcha said additional safety structures would be installed, and called on volunteers to come and help with the clean-up. If the renovations are completed in time, the area will be open from Nov 1.
However, the area inside the Tham Luang cave where the group was trapped will remain closed to the public until further notice.
