•Teacher has cheated death before
THE 12 members of a Thai soccer team who are trapped in a flooded cave network have written letters to their families, asking for fried chicken and BBQ when they escape.
The letters were made public on Facebook by the Thai Navy SEALs, who are leading the dangerous operation to get the boys out.
The boys who have been stuck since June 23 wrote the messages in pen by torchlight inside the cave, then handed them to rescue divers who carried them to the outside world.
The boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach were missing for over a week before rescue divers finally found them last Monday. The boys were skinny and hungry, but were in good health.
The risks involved in getting them out are said to remain high but the boys and their teacher appear upbeat in their messages.
The teacher, Ekapol Chanthawong, according to a report by the Daily Mail of London yesterday, has cheated death before.
He is the only surviving member of his family after his parents and then seven year old brother were struck down with a killer disease at their home in Northern Thailand in 2003.
Translations of the boys’ letters by the BBC yesterday revealed that the common theme was a request for their favourite food:
One of them, Nick, wrote: “Mum, Dad, Nick loves Mum and Dad and siblings. If I can get out, Mum, Dad please bring me mu kratha (a type of BBQ pork) to eat… Nick loves Mum, Dad and siblings.”
Another, Tan, wrote: “Mum and Dad don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Tell my brother to be ready to bring me fried chicken. Love you.”
Ake, the boys’ coach, wrote a letter to relatives, saying: “To my grandma, I’m ok, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me too much. And take care of yourself. Auntie, tell grandma to cook numpak (a vegetable dish) and pork skin for me. When I get out I will go to eat. Love you guys.”
And what appears to be a joint statement from the whole team says: “The kids say don’t worry. We are all strong. When they come out they want to eat many things. When they come out they want to go back home immediately. Teacher, don’t give us lots of homework!”
Mig: Don’t worry about me, I miss everyone… The Navy Seals take care of me very well.
Love everyone.
Mark: Mum you’re at home, how are you? I’m fine. Can you tell my teacher.
Pong: I love Dad and Mum. Don’t worry about me I’m safe.
Love you guys.
Bew: Don’t worry Mum, Dad. Bew disappeared for two weeks. Afterwards I will go to help Mum sell things at the shop. I will hurry to go there.
Tee: Don’t worry, I’m very happy. Dad, Mum, siblings, family.
At a press conference late Friday evening, the regional governor said that there is a window of three to four days to prepare the boys to get out.