13 rescued soccer players to speak to media today

The 13 young men  rescued last week from the flooded Luang Cave is pictured with Dr. Phak Lohanchun (third from top right), who was among the first rescuers to reach them. Photo: Dr. Phak Lohanchun/ Facebook
The 13 young men rescued last week from the flooded Luang Cave is pictured with Dr. Phak Lohanchun (third from top right), who was among the first rescuers to reach them. Photo: Dr. Phak Lohanchun/ Facebook

The 12 boys and their soccer coach who were rescued last week from the flooded Luang Cave will give their first interviews to the press this evening, according to a government spokesman. 

A press conference with the Wild Boar soccer team will take place at Chiang Rai Provincial Office today, and reporters have been asked to submit questions in advance to be approved by psychologists. 

Authorities hope that by holding the question and answer session before they head home it will satisfy the huge interest in their story.

“The reason to hold this evening press conference is so media can ask them questions and after that they can go back to live their normal lives without media bothering them,” Thailand’s chief government spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told AFP.

The boys will likely return home after the press conference, instead instead of Thursday as planned.

After the 13 were safely evacuated last Tuesday, no one, except their families and a team of doctors, have been allowed to speak to the boys. This will be their first public appearance after their dramatic rescue gripped the entire world (and Hollywood producers already discussing making a movie based on their lives.)

Dr. Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, a Public Health inspector-general, said all 13 are in good health.

He also requested that reporters who attend the press conference today not ask questions that will cause trauma to the boys, saying he’s concerned that once they’re discharged, the people surrounding them will press them for answers about the cave, Post Today reported.

Without elaborating, he said there’s a plan to ensure that the 13 will have their mental health cared for while, at the same time, not making them feel like their lives are being monitored excessively.

Editor’s Note: The story has been updated with confirmation that the boys will be in attendance.

Related:

Army doctor who stayed behind in Luang Cave wins Thailand’s heart



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on