The Thai boys who were evacuated from the flooded cave in a dramatic rescue mission that gripped the world have spoken for the first time. / Chiang Rai Hospital
The Thai boys who were evacuated from the flooded cave in a dramatic rescue mission that gripped the world have spoken for the first time.
The youngsters and the coach of their Wild Boar football team thanked the team of divers who brought them to safety and the millions of well-wishers who offered their support from around the globe.
Speaking from their hospital beds the boys, aged between 11 and 16, all said they were in good health and listed traditional Thai cuisine dishes they wanted to eat, the Daily Mail reported.
Prajak Sutham. Photo / AP
"Thanks for saving me," said Prajak Sutham, who is known as "Note".
Adul Sam-on, who greeted British divers Rick Stanton and John Volanthen who first discovered the trapped boys, spoke in English in a video released by the Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital where they are being treated.
He said: "I'm very fine. Thank you heavy [a lot]. Thank you so much."
Like the other boys, he listed the dishes they were longing to eat after their 16-day ordeal — including KFC.
The 25-year-old coach, Ekkapol Chantawong, who led the 12 boys into the Tham Luang cave on the ill-fated mission, thanked Thailand's military leader and all the rescue agencies involved in the dramatic evacuation. "Thank you the prime minister, all of the agencies, the [Thai] Navy Seals and all of the doctors," he said, adding: "I'm fine and I am healthy and able to eat normal food.
"I want to east fried rice with crispy pork."
The 12 boys and their coach will released from hospital at the end of next week, said Thailand's Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn.
Meanwhile, Hollywood producers are gearing up to make a film based on the captivating saga.
But the minister ordered the boys, their parents and other family members not to give interviews to the media claiming highlighting the youngsters' plight could have a "negative impact on their mental health".
"We have advised all patients and their parents to avoid all media exposure because doing so may trigger post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms," Piyasakol said.
