By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s government will be inviting the 12 boys from a youth soccer team in Thailand and their coach, who were saved in a high-profile rescue from a flooded cave, on vacation.

The country is offering the group an all-expenses paid vacation to Jamaica, according to Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

The Minister said he ““couldn’t think of a more appropriate gesture for these brave and extraordinary young men than to have them come and enjoy our beautiful island home.”

“We will be using all our diplomatic channels through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, also the Jamaican Honorary Consulate in Bangkok, Thailand, to try and make this a reality,” he said.

The boys had been trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system since June 23 before their rescue.

“This will be an all-expense paid vacation and something that we are happy to do as part of the international community and to show appreciation for the special friendship we have had with the people of Thailand over the years,” Bartlett said.