It ended up as a truly inspiring feel-good story, but could so easily have been a heart-breaking tragedy. That was why the tale of the Wild Boars football team -- 12 young Thai boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave system in Chiang Rai -- held the attention of the world for more than a fortnight.
Their eventual rescue was a wonderful example of international cooperation at a very human level without the red tape and politics. Everyone involved, from the international divers to the Thai Navy Seals, displayed calm professionalism which could not be praised enough.
When news finally broke on the 18th day of the mission that the rescue had been successfully completed, the whole world celebrated along with Thailand. In Britain there were front page headlines: "Jubilation" and "Celebration" while one newspaper called them "Lucky 13". Who knows, perhaps 13 will no longer be regarded as an unlucky number?
And so in this review of 2018 we must start with:
The most wonderful words of the year: When many were beginning to lose hope, on the ninth day of the search, hearing a British diver upon locating the boys, ask: "How many of you? Thirteen? Brilliant!" They were all accounted for. It truly was "brilliant".
We must not forget: The rescue claimed the life of a brave volunteer, former Navy Seal Saman Gunan.
On to more mundane matters:
Not much cop: The intriguing case of six Thai policemen publicly complaining that the gentleman to whom they paid hefty bribes to ensure a quick promotion was not the influential person they thought he was. When it was pointed out they could always arrest themselves for attempting to bribe an officer, they went rather quiet.
Pristine Pattaya: Police announcing that Pattaya had become a "livable city" after a crackdown on crime had cleansed the streets of all undesirable elements, although there was no mention of bridge players.
Food for thought: Seahorse kebab on sale in Pattaya. Chinese tourists believe it is an aphrodisiac although they are more likely to give you a bad case of the Pattaya trots.
Two for a pair: The Prime Minister producing a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself and requesting annoying reporters to ask the cutout questions, rather than himself. Perhaps he is training to be a ventriloquist?
You know you're getting old: When you get on the BTS and realise you are the only person reading a book.
Les miserables: A report that Thais are not as happy as they once were and the "Land of Smiles" is in danger of becoming the "Land of Snarls".
Les (not so) miserables: Another report naming Thailand as the "least miserable country in the world". It's all getting rather confusing.
Wobbly spelling: Oxford University Press revealing that the most commonly misspelt word is "separate", many mistakenly using an "E" after the "P".
Least successful theme day: Noise Awareness Day, a non-starter in Thailand if ever there was one. And as for Anti-Corruption Day...
How tickled he was: The sad news of British comedian Ken Dodd passing away and being laid to rest along with his tickling stick. Mourned by diddymen around the world.
Exit stage left: Say a little prayer for the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. She was something special.
Me first: Two off-duty THAI pilots delaying passengers for more than two hours after insisting they fly first class from Zurich to Bangkok.
Deliver the letter: The New Zealand postal authorities successfully delivering a package addressed to "The old house with the pretty garden across the road from the big white goat with one horn".
Meanwhile, in Thailand: While sending a Christmas package, trying to explain to a Thai Post Office worker that the Cayman Islands were not a figment of my imagination. A handy atlas saved the day.
Painful pun award: The Sun newspaper carrying a pix of Meghan Markle the day before the Royal wedding with the headline "I'm getting Harryed in the Morning".
Most endangered species: The slow-footed Bangkok pedestrians (pedestrus expirus) who insist on using those lethal pedestrian traps known as zebra crossings, with most unpleasant results.
X-certificate: Two elderly aunties, fed up with motorists illegally parking in front of their gate, using axes on the rogue cars. They soon became dubbed "The Axe Aunties" sounding like they had emerged from some particularly unpleasant slasher movie.
Smelling a rat: Thai authorities arresting a Cambodian on the border for attempting to smuggle 800kg of dead rats into Thailand. Roasted rodents are considered a delicacy in parts of Thailand.
In the soup: The public awaits the verdict on the curious case of the dead leopard, the tycoon and the cooking pot. Don't hold your breath.
And pigs can fly: The official who insisted that any taxi driver who refuses to take a passenger on the meter would be fined 1,000 baht.
Whatever next? Suggestions of hanky- panky going on in Lumpini Park. Park officials said the rude behaviour was upsetting the resident monitor lizards.
Hoof in mouth: President Trump referring to adult film actress Stormy Daniels as "horseface". Daniels responded by suggesting Mr Trump suffered from "shortcomings".
Finally, thanks to readers who bought Long Winding Road to Nakhon Nowhere, about which much has been said, most of it unprintable.
A Happy New Year everyone. Let's hope it is more fun than 2018.
Contact PostScript via email at oldcrutch@gmail.com
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