A ship sailing near the island of Ko Adang, Thailand, was recently engulfed in flames due to an oil fire when the Royal Thai Navy showed up to assist them.
The eight crew members had already jumped overboard and were picked up by a passing fishing boat, but in their panic, they had accidentally left behind four tiny kittens. When Thai sailor Thatsaphon Saii saw them, he knew instantly what he had to do.
“When we arrived it was to secure the wreckage and check for oil spills,” he told The Sun. “But we noticed the cats onboard. I immediately took off my shirt and put on a life jacket so I could jump into the sea.”
As his fellow sailors watched anxiously, Thatsaphon dove in and climbed aboard the sinking vessel. He put three of the terrified cats into a rice sack and put the last animal on his shoulder. Then, he swam about 50 feet back to the Navy ship.
“The flames were at the back of the boat, but it was starting to sink, so I knew I had to be quick,” Thatsaphon said later. “I’m so relieved that we were able to save the kittens.”
Once he reached the Navy vessel, the kittens were cleaned up and examined by the concerned sailors. They were given food and water – and were unharmed despite all they’d been through!
The kittens will stay on the ship under the watchful eye of the sailors until they are able to be adopted.
A true hero is one who does the right thing, even when it’s difficult or dangerous. Thatsaphon could have ignored the desperate kittens, but that thought never crossed his mind. The Royal Thai Navy is lucky to have such a wonderful individual on their crew!
Share this story to thank Thatsaphon for risking his life for these cats.
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