Aussie doctors bestowed Thai royal honors for cave rescue

BANGKOK – Two Australian doctors in Thailand to receive royal honors for helping rescue a boys soccer team from a flooded cave say they are looking forward to a reunion with the people they helped save.

Members of the rescued soccer team and their coach dribble a few soccer balls before a press conference discussing their experience in the cave in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. The 12 boys and their soccer coach rescued after being trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand are recovering well and are eager to eat their favorite comfort foods after their expected to go home soon. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Richard Harris and Craig Challen were given the award at a ceremony Friday presided over by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Four Australian officials involved with the rescue effort were also honored.

Both highly skilled divers, the doctors played key roles in rescuing members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach in Chiang Rai province last July.

They said before the award ceremony they were looking forward to going to the northern province Monday to see how the boys are faring./gsg