Rescued Thai boys share lessons after hospital discharge

The 12 members of a boys soccer team and their coach who spent more than two weeks trapped in a cave in northern Thailand shared lessons they learned at their first news conference Wednesday, following their release from the hospital. Flooding caused by heavy rainfall trapped the boys and their coach in the cave on June 23, when they went exploring after a practice game.

At the news conference, the boys appeared in matching soccer jerseys and briefly played soccer on a makeshift field before they sat down. The boys said they will apologize to their parents, many of whom had no idea the group went on the cave adventure. One of the boys, 14-year-old Adul Sam-on, who comes from a Christian family and is sponsored by the U.S.-based ministry Compassion International, described the rescue as “a miracle,” and said the experience has taught him “not to live life carelessly.” Others said they learned more life skills through the ordeal. “I feel stronger, I have more patience, endurance, tolerance,” said 13-year-old Mongkol Boonpiam. Four of the boys said they would like to become navy SEALS, following their rescue by that highly trained military group. Doctors told reporters that the boys and their coach are in good health, and that the boys gained about 6.6 pounds each after losing an average of 9 pounds during their time in the cave.