On Tuesday, all 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped inside the Tham Luang Cave in Thailand for more than two weeks were successfully rescued. As they continue to recover at a hospital in Chiang Rai province, the boys filmed video messages thanking everyone who helped them.
“Hello, I am Adul,” 14-year-old Adul Sam-on said, even speaking in English. “Now, I am very fine. I am very thank you for help me. Thank you so much.”
The others spoke in Thai, but delivered similar messages. “I am healthy,” said 13-year-old Panumas Saengdee. “Thank you for worrying about us and coming to help us. Don’t worry anymore. I am safe now.”
A few of the boys even shared what foods they were craving — and they certainly deserve their favorite treats, as some of them lost as much as 11 pounds while trapped.
The #ThaiCaveRescue boys made a video – and there’s one thing on their minds ???https://t.co/ItRHFs3NYd pic.twitter.com/goRYTyRJ9e
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 15, 2018
“I want to eat [crispy pork belly stir fry],” said 16-year-old Pornchai Kamluang. “Thank you everybody who support us and who send us inspiration. We want to thank you.”
“I am healthy,” said 13-year-old Sompong Jaiwong. “I want to eat [stir-fried pork with basil and fried egg]. I want to thank you everybody who give us support and everybody from all over the world who come to helps us. Thank you.”
Though the boys are still recovering, ABC News reported that a majority of them have each gained 4 pounds in the hospital. It’s here that they also learned about the death of Thai navy SEAL diver Saman Kunan, who lost his life in the rescue mission.
#ThamLuang survivors in tears upon learning about the death of ex-Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Kunan during #ThamLuangRescue. They write farewell messages on Saman’s portrait, mourn his death, thank him and promise to be good persons https://t.co/Uk9KL0ZkBv pic.twitter.com/m2a068joDe
— Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 15, 2018
Ekapol Chanthawong, the boys’ soccer coach, also spoke in a video. “Now, I am healthy like normal, can eat normal,” he said. “Thank you [everyone] who support us and every ministry that help me.”
All 13 are expected to be released from the hospital this Thursday, according to officials at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.