Thai soccer team speaks out for first time after thrilling rescue

Members of the Wild Boars football team are being cared for at a hospital in Chiang Rai (Photo: Sky News)

In a video released by Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital in Chiang Rai province on Facebook today, July 14, the 12 young footballers and their coach of the Wild Boars soccer team thanked everyone for their concern and help during the rescue operation at Tham Luang cave. The video lasted 3 minutes, in which the young footballers and their coach were seen sitting on rows of beds in the hospital.

The young players announced in the video that their health is currently fine and they are looking forward to enjoying delicious food. The Nation (Thailand) news site quoted the team's statements in the order in which they appeared in the video.

Prachak Sutham, 14, said he was doing well and wanted to thank all the rescuers.

Duangphet Promthep, 13, said he enjoyed eating rice with stewed pig's feet and wanted to thank everyone for their moral support for the team.

Natthawut Thakhamsai, 14, said he was in good health and wanted to eat rice with crispy pork. Thakhamsai also thanked everyone for their concern for the team.

Ekkarat Wongsukchan, 14, said he was in good health and thanked everyone for their concern.

Pipat Phothi, 15, said he was fine and wanted to eat rice with crispy pork and pork stew. Phothi also thanked the rescue team and everyone for supporting the team.

Piraphat Sompiangchai, 16, said he was in good health and wanted to thank everyone for their moral support.

Phanumat Saengdee, 13, said he appreciated all the help from the rescue team and thanked everyone for their moral support. Saengdee said he was safe now and no one needed to worry about him.

Adul Sam-on, 14, said his health condition had improved and he wanted to go to a KFC. Adul said he was passing the time in hospital by drawing pictures of his friends and coach from inside the cave.

“I am Adul. I am very well. Thank you for helping us. Thank you very much,” Adul said in English.

Chanin Wibulrungruang, 11, said his health condition has returned to normal and the food he wants to eat is sushi. Chanin thanked the Thai Navy SEALs for rescuing the group and everyone for their moral support.

Pornchai Khamluang, 16, said he wanted to eat rice with crispy pork and wanted to thank everyone for their moral support.

Sompong Jaiwong, 13, said he was doing well. He thanked everyone for their help and the international community for supporting the team.

Mongkol Boonpiam, 13, said his health is very good now and he can even run. Mongkol wants to eat beef and thanked everyone for their help. He promised to continue “fighting”.

Coach Ekapol Chanthawong, 25, said his condition has improved and he is feeling well now. Ekapol said he would like to eat fried rice with pork. The coach also thanked everyone, all the ministries, the SEALs and doctors for helping the team.

Discharged next week

The player's parents waved goodbye to their son from outside the hospital room door (Photo: Reuters)

Thailand’s Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn visited the boys at Chiangrai Hospital today, saying the boys have improved and will continue to stay in the hospital to receive a full seven-day course of antibiotics.

According to Minister Piyasakol, all the Wild Boars team are in good spirits and although they are still in quarantine, the players' families can visit, as long as strict hygiene requirements are met.

Mr Piyasakol said that if no signs of infection were found, the Wild Boars team could be discharged from the hospital on July 19. However, he also warned that the players risked catching infections from visitors when they returned home because their bodies were still weak.

According to Minister Piyasakol, the Wild Boars football team may be invited to speak to the press. However, psychologists want the team’s mental scars to be fully healed before they can share their story of their 18 days in the cave.

One of the concerns now is how the team will cope with the publicity as the rescue operation attracts huge attention not only from Thai people but also from around the world.

“We need to prepare the children and their families for the attention they will receive when they are discharged from the hospital. Everyone has worked together to complete the rescue of the children from the cave. We have worked together very well and should continue to work together so that the children can recover both physically and mentally when they grow up,” said Mr. Piyasakol.

Minister Piyasakol also warned the players' families not to accept media interviews for fear that this would negatively affect the children's psychology.