Artists From Around the World Create Tributes to the Successful Thai Cave Rescue


For over 18 days, the world watched as 12 Thai soccer players, aged 11 to 17, and their 25 year old coach (called the Wild Boars) were trapped in a cave in Northern Thailand. Shortly after, heavy rains partially flooded the cave, blocking the exit and forcing the group deeper into the cave.

Efforts to locate the group were hampered by rising water levels and strong currents, and no contact was made for more than a week. The rescue effort expanded into a massive operation amid intense worldwide media coverage and public interest. On 2 July, after advancing through narrow passages and muddy waters, British divers found the group alive on an elevated rock about 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) from the cave mouth. Rescue organisers discussed various options for extracting the group: whether to teach them basic diving skills to enable their early rescue, wait until a new entrance was found or drilled, or wait for the floodwaters to subside at the end of the monsoon season months later. After days of pumping water from the cave system and a respite from rain, the rescue teams hastened to get everyone out before the next monsoon rain, which was expected to bring a potential 52 mm (2.0 in) of additional rainfall and was predicted to start around 11 July. Between 8 and 10 July, all of the boys and their coach were rescued from the cave – four each day.

“We are not sure if this is a miracle, a science, or what. All the thirteen Wild Boars are now out of the cave,” the Thai Navy SEALs wrote on their Facebook page.

The Wild Boars are said to be in overall good health and recovering from the ordeal. In the meantime, the world is celebrating the heartwarming acts of bravery, perseverance, and show of global unity. There has been tribute art created by illustrators and other creatives around the globe that mark the joyous rescue.

It should also be noted that amidst this happy moment, the world also mourns for Saman Kunan, a former Thai Navy SEAL member who died trying to rescue the boys. He passed away due to lack of oxygen on his way out of the cave—after delivering oxygen supply inside. Kunan is also honored in many of these images.

Scroll down to see a selection of tribute art for the Thai cave rescue.

A post shared by SISIDEA (@sisidea) on

Some illustrations also pay respect to Saman Kunan, a former Thai Navy SEAL who died delievering oxygen to the boys.


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