Facing the media for the first time since he and his teammates’ ordeal ended just over a week ago, 14-year-old Adul Sam-on earlier this evening described the exact moment he, 11 other Wild Boars, and their young coach realized they’d been found.
“We were digging in rocks, and we heard noises. So we listened, and it was real,” he said. “So I said hi — hello!”
“It was the moment [divers] emerged from the water. I thought they would be Thai. I was shocked that they were British.”
Speaking at a press conference that saw all 13 of those rescued dressed in their Wild Boars kit – and speaking from a stage decorated as a football pitch, no less — Ekkaphol Chantawong (aka “Coach Ek”) said the fact that the divers were, in fact, British made Sam-on’s presence a necessity.
“I don’t know English, and they just kept talking,” he said of the divers. “So I asked if someone could translate … quick.”
The young coach, who has taken heat from some quarters for the decision to lead the post-practice field trip into the cave, told the gathering that the outing was, in fact, planned, not an impromptu adventure.
At least four of the boys, however, sheepishly admitted that they’d not informed their parents of that fact.
“I thought to myself — dad’s gonna destroy me,” 13-year-old Mongkhol Boonpiam said to laughter, a worry expressed by more than one of the boys.
But those worries quickly turned to larger issues as the seriousness of their predicament set in.
According to Coach Ek, they were deep in the cave and initially planning to go even further when the reality of the flooding – and their lack of options — became apparent.
“While we were discussing what to do, more waters flooded in. I told the boys to move up on to [Nern Nom Sao] ledge.
“We decided to stay the night… and I told the boys to pray to the Buddha,” Ek said, unaware the ledge would be their home for the next 10 days.
In the dark and without food, the coach encouraged the boys to stay still to conserve their energy.
Another key tip for surviving 10 days without food? Don’t think about it.
“I tried not to think of rice … or I’d get even hungrier,” said 11-year-old Chanin Wiboonroongreung. “Not fried rice … or nam phrik (chili paste).”
“Everyone was weak,” added Mongkhol.
Their first food in more than a week came with the arrival of the divers, specifically Thai Navy SEALs who followed the British team’s discovery with supplies.
One in particular, who was identified only by his nickname “Baitoey,” made a major impression.
“When I got there, I had to test their mentality. I asked them: ‘Moo pa (Thai for Wild Boars), will you fight?’ After that it all went 18+ from there,” Baitoey said with a laugh as he explained the necessity of stripping down to his underwear, something the children took delight in teasing him over.
“In my wetsuit, there are power gel and supplies,” he explained. “The floor was muddy, so we needed something for the children to sit on. So I gave the children all I had.”
The gesture was clearly appreciated. “Baitoey is like our dad … because he called us sons,” said one of the boys.
“The SEALs and us are like a family,” agreed Ek. “We ate together. We fell asleep together.”
One diver, of course, didn’t live to see the miraculous rescue. Speaking of former Navy SEAL Samarn Kunan, who died while placing oxygen tanks along their eventual escape route, the Boars again paid tribute to the man who gave his life for theirs.
“When we found out, we were shocked … and very sad,” coach Ek said on behalf of the team. “We felt we were the reasons for his family’s sadness.”
It was reported this week that a statue of Samarn Kunan will be built on the site of a planned museum dedicated to the cave and the rescue.
Perhaps at some point the boys will make their own pilgrimage to the site, but as for actually entering Luang Cave itself, one boy likely spoke for everyone when the host asked if they planned to return.
“No … Not going.”
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