'Wild Boars' leave Chiang Rai hospital, talk about their miraculous rescue
The players took part in a press conference, which Chiang Rai's provincial governor, Prachon Pratsukan, said would be the boys' "only official media interview". The boys’ coach said “We took turns digging at the cave walls”. The team’s youngest member, Titan, added, “I had no strength. I tried not to think about food so I didn’t get hungrier.”
Chiang Rai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Accompanied by the medical staff that took care of them, the 12 players and coach of the Wild Boars football team trapped for 18 days were discharged from the hospital in Chiang Rai where they recovered from their ordeal.
At their first public appearance at a press conference, the boys answered questions from journalists that were submitted to the authorities beforehand.
Chiang Rai's provincial governor, Prachon Pratsukan, said this would be the boys' "only official media interview", noting that there would "be no more speaking with the press after this".
Relatives and friends welcomed the kids in the press room, who wore matching T-shirts and brought some balls to the stage.
“It is a miracle,” said one of the footballers, Adul Sam-on, 14, of the rescue. Other "Wild Boars" described some of the most delicate moments of their predicament.
“We took turns digging at the cave walls,” said their coach Ekkapol Chantawong, who has been credited with keeping the boys alive by some of their parents. “We didn’t want to wait around until authorities found us.”
The team’s youngest member, Titan, explained that at one point “I had no strength. I tried not to think about food so I didn’t get hungrier.” “We only drank water,” said another boy, nicknamed Tee.
The "Wild Boars" finally talked about the diver who lost his life during the rescue operations. “Everyone was very sad,” said the coach. “They felt like they were the reason he had to die and his family had to suffer.”
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