The 11 Wild Boars soccer team members who were ordained as novices late last month left monkhood in a ceremony held this morning at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Tambon Wiang Phang Kham of Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.

The 11 Wild Boars entered monkhood on July 25 along with the their coach Ekapol Chanthawong, who was ordained as a monk, as a dedication to Lt Cmdr Saman Gunan, an ex-SEAL member who died during the dramatic operation to rescue them from Tham Luang cave.

The ceremony was performed by Phra Phutthiwongwiwat, the Mae Sai monastic chief, and chaired by Mae Sai district chief Somsak Khanakham.

Phra Ekapol will remain in monkhood until the end of the Buddhist Lent.

An exhibition to “thank the world” will be held today at Wat Phra That Doi Wao, chaired by Chiang Rai governor Prajon Pratsakul, starting from 5pm. More than 4,000 pictures of the rescue operation will be exhibited. There will also be a feast and cultural shows for guests.