Thailand’s national artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, on Sunday offered an update on the construction progress of the monument he has designed for Samarn Kunan — the former SEAL rescuer who died in last month’s historic cave rescue.
The 2.4-meter-tall statue is the work of 10 Thai artists, including Chalermchai himself, who’s best known for his creation of the famed White Temple. The monument is now 60 percent complete and will take the artists about two more months to finish, Sanook reported.
Samarn’s wife, Waleeporn, met with Chalermchai yesterday to observe the construction, which is taking place at a work area inside the White Temple, before it will be transported to the cave site.
“I asked her — does this look like your husband? She said yes!” Chalermchai said. (Editor’s Note: Aside from his artwork, Chalermchai is also known for his dry sense of humor.)
The monument features Samarn in a scuba diving suit complete with an oxygen tank and a diving mask around his neck. He stands on a rock, with 13 boars at his feet — a reference to the members of the Wild Boars youth soccer team he helped save.
Chalermchai is also leading the team that is building the museum designed to showcase the story of the dangerous mission, with photos and a giant painting done by local artists.
The statue will be placed outside museum, which is expected to open to the public in January.
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