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Home / World

'Thanks for saving me': Thai boys who were saved in a dramatic rescue after being trapped in a cave for 17 days speak

By Nick Fagge In Chiang Rai, Thailand
Daily Mail·
14 Jul, 2018 09:30 AM4 mins to read

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Thai cave boys speak from hospital beds
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 ...
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      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
      NOW PLAYING • Thai cave boys speak from hospital beds
      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
      Prajak Sutham. Photo / AP

      "Thanks for saving me," said Prajak Sutham, who is known as "Note".

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      "I'm in good health."

      Adul Sam-on. Photo / AP
      Adul Sam-on. Photo / AP

      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.

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      "I'm better," he said.

      "I'd like to have KFC.

      Somphong Jaiwong. Photo / AP
      Somphong Jaiwong. Photo / AP

      Sompong Jaiwong, "Pong", said: "Thank you everyone from around the globe for helping us.

      "I'm healthy. I like to eat basil pork with a fried egg."

      Discover more

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      Thai cave rescue: Boys' parents reveal their sons' harrowing ordeal

      13 Jul 07:51 PM
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      Inside the treacherous rescue of boys trapped in Thai cave

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      Duangpetch Promthep. Photo / AP
      Duangpetch Promthep. Photo / AP

      Duangphet Premthep, aka "Dom", said: "I'm healthy. Thank you for [your] help. I like to have rice with stewed pork leg."

      Nattawut Takhamsai, aka "Tle", said: "I'm healthy. I like to have crispy pork fried with basil. Thank you."

      Pipat Bodhi. Photo / AP
      Pipat Bodhi. Photo / AP

      Pipat Phothi, "Nick", said: "Thank you. I'm okay. I like to have rice with roast red pork and crispy pork."

      Peerapat Sompiangjai. Photo / AP
      Peerapat Sompiangjai. Photo / AP

      Peerapat Sompiangjai, "Nite", said: "I'm healthy. Thank you for your support. I like to have pork barbecue."

      Panumas Saengdee. Photo / AP
      Panumas Saengdee. Photo / AP

      Panumas Saengdee, "Mick", said: "I'm fine. I'm safe now. I'm healthy. I like to have pork fried with basil. Thank you."

      Chanin Vibulrungruang. Photo / AP
      Chanin Vibulrungruang. Photo / AP

      The youngest boy, 11-year-old Chanin Wiboonrungruang, aka "Titan", praised the Thai Navy Seals for rescuing the team.

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      "Thank you [Thai] Navy Seals. Thank you everyone for your support. I'm fine," he said, adding, "I want to eat sushi."

      Pornchai Kamluang. Photo / AP
      Pornchai Kamluang. Photo / AP

      Pornchai Khamluang, "Tee", said: "I want to eat fried rice with crispy pork. Thank you for sending us your support."

      Somphong Jaiwong. Photo / AP
      Somphong Jaiwong. Photo / AP

      Sompong Jaiwong, "Pong", said: "Thank you everyone from around the globe for helping us.

      "I'm healthy. I like to east basil pork with a fried egg."

      Monkol Boompeam. Photo / AP
      Monkol Boompeam. Photo / AP

      Mongkol Boonpiam, "Mark", said: "I'm fine and healthy. I want to have steak. Thank you, Thai people."

      Ekarat Wongsookchan. Photo / AP
      Ekarat Wongsookchan. Photo / AP

      Ekkarat Wongsukjan, "Bew", added: "I'm fine. Thank you for your support."

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      Ekapol Chanthawong, soccer coach. Photo / AP
      Ekapol Chanthawong, soccer coach. Photo / AP

      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.

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      "We ask for collaboration from everyone to ensure that each boy spend time with their family and friends as much as possible."

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