Rescue in Thailand: In a moving video, teenagers thanked the rescuers

CHIANG RAI.- The twelve children and their football coach rescued from a flooded cave of


Thailand
are recovering well after their ordeal and will be released from hospital next week, Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn

said Saturday.
Boys rescued from the "Wild Boars" football team and their technician left the Tham Luang cave near the border with Myanmar on Tuesday to carry out a dangerous rescue that brought joy and relief international. have been to the hospital in the city of Chiang Rai in the north of the country since their rescue.

Video played at a press conference Saturday, the children looked good, sitting on their bed and thanking those who had saved them. Some said that they were willing to try their favorite dishes, such as fried rice with pork or sushi.

"I want crispy pork rice and grilled pork rice," said Pipat Photi, 15. Some of the children lost up to 5 kilos, but they have already started to recover weight in the hospital, Piyasakol told reporters. Those who have suffered from pneumonia after the rescue have recovered and the 13 should be able to leave the hospital on Thursday, he added.

"Now I am in good health," said one of the children, nicknamed Note, 14 years old. "Thank you for saving me"

Children, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach had planned to explore the cave complex for an hour after the training of football on June 23rd. But an abundant rainfall during the rainy season flooded the tunnels, leaving them trapped inside.

Concern for mental health

The 13 were taken from the complex in a rescue run in three days and organized by the SEAL of the Thai Navy and an international team of expert divers.

Samarn Kunan, 38, a former member of the SEAL's elite unit, was the only deadly casualty in the operation. His wife asked the children not to be blamed for his death.

Samarn was cremated on Saturday during a special ceremony attended by the royal family and broadcast live on television

. and his coach is now in good health, one is worried about how he will deal with the celebrity, given the huge interest that he brings to his case, in the interior and outside the country

"We must prepare children and families for the care they will receive. said Piyasakol, who warned the children's parents to resist media interviews because they fear it could have a negative impact on their mental health.

Reuters Agency