Exclusive Thai cave rescue interview: Boys' soccer team, coaches on harrowing experience | ABC News

ABC News James Longman spoke exclusively with the boys soccer team and their coaches about the days spent trapped in that cave and their rescue.
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[@lucynouano]

Thank you for letting the boys speak and not dubbing English over their voices. As a Thai, I am so proud of the gracious way they responded to questions. Their faith in their coach is apparent and their love for each other is wonderful. Thank you for such a wonderful interview.

[@louiskatzclay]

Team Moo Baa show some of the best qualities of Thai people and culture. The calm in the cave and out, politeness in the cave and out. I miss Thailand.

[@intrepidtomato]

Was watchng this again. This is such a beautiful hopeful story. To see them all alive and well just made me cry.

[@alessia5405]

Their faith in their coach leading this disaster though, so this is not a beautiful story about love. Am I the only one who wants to know why A COACH took 12 boys into a cave so deep during monsoon season?? Despite honors given to everyone who took parts in this rescue mission, I just wondering, how come a soccer ball team ended up inside a cave in monsoon season of all times? The coach must take responsibility for all the casualties he had done. Lesson learned the hardest way because cave divers passed away from the coach decision to bring those child had their small cavern trip. RIP to those fallen heroes🙏🏻🌹🌹🙏🏻

[@DD-ki8on]

@@alessia5405 i would need to say this. They are all locals. The mountain and the cave are their neighboring areas. The coach was in his early 20 at the time. In actual fact, he was indeed also the kid!. He didn’t drag these kids deep into the cave at the beginning, but once they were about to go out of the cave they realized that the water had risen up so fast that they had no way to get out and needed to retreat deep into the cave for their own lives. Without the mental support of the coach to let the kids did a meditation, it’s very unlikely that the kids would be so calm and resilient and especially alive as you saw when they were first discovered by the British divers. People should not use their own value and their own culture to judge other people, especially those who came from different societies and background. Please be compassionate to other human beings.

[@alessia5405]

@@DD-ki8on 1. Locals. Means they knew their local weather predictable. 2. As a coach, (early 20s considered as young adult) he should realize how huge his responsibility was, even before taken any decision. Those kids wouldn't gone inside the cave except he agreed to it. 3. Of course it's HIS DUTY to calm and made the kids at ease, HE'S THE OLDEST THERE duh (and he's the coach). 5. And last lines comes back at you. As local here, why don't you put yourself in the parents spot before you come up defending the coach? Funny, you judge me despite know less someone else's background. Put the mirror first, lady/sir.

[@CanaanOptical2024]

So glad to see Ekapol again in his beautiful robe, and the boys looking "plump" again. The first images of them in the cave were heartbreaking. :'( Good luck to you all, Titan, Mig, Dom ,Adul Sam-on, Pong, Mark, Tern, Night, Bew, Note, Nick, Tee, Ake!!! Your story has made the whole world happy!!! Thank you, James. Thank you rescuers, thank you, world.

[@RonanJaPianist]

Sadly Dom passed away in UK😢

[@uhoh4po]

James, your reporting over the two months was so honoring to the culture, the boys, their coach, their families, and ALL who were involved. It was beautiful to watch! This exclusive touched my heart and was so well done! Thank you for getting to know the people and the culture and for fantastic reporting!

[@phawitsangpunya6823]

A smiling faces of them can brighten my day and trick my mind into happiness, every time I see them I'm so happy and I feel like these boys are more than a friend to each other but they're brothers of the one family, this is the heartwarming moment in your life that these boys will always cherish! 💫

[@iambee7909]

Coach Ek is a very smart young man with good character. He has influenced those boys with his positive thinking. Believe so he has a bright future.

[@alessia5405]

A coach with a good character will prevent of such disastrous consequences though. If the coach is as smart as you stated, he won't let the kids went inside a flooded cave in an area which had been rained heavily the day before. Why everyone so proud of this foolish coach??? Am I the only one who wants to know why A COACH took 12 boys into a cave so deep during monsoon season?? Despite honors given to everyone who took parts in this rescue mission, I just wondering, how come a soccer ball team ended up inside a cave in monsoon season of all times? The coach must take responsibility for all the casualties he had done. Lesson learned the hardest way because cave divers passed away from the coach decision to bring those child had their small cavern trip. RIP to those fallen heroes🙏🏻🌹🌹🙏🏻

[@erikkarlsen5675]

@@alessia5405 Please. It was not monsoon season. He is a young man himself. But i guess you have all the answers. What punishment do you think this young Coach should get ?

[@mannermode5378]

@@alessia5405 bodoh tu simpan sikit buang ke laut kang berjangkit ke anak cucu. kalau dorg pergi sesame dorg je tanpa coach tak smpai seminggu tinggal tulang. coach tu punya baik jaga budak2 tu ko tak nak puji pulak. bangang suka cari yg negative je.

[@cherrytraveller5915]

@@alessia5405 Are you familiar with the term flash flood? It wasn't monsoon season it was a flash flood. An expert was due to make a solo exploration of the cave just 1 week after the boys themselves were caught. This goes to show how sudden the changes occurred in the cave. He kept those boys calm and even gave them his own food putting his own health at risk. If the parents don't want him punished and even thanked him then you have no right to play judge and jury

[@alessia5405]

@@cherrytraveller5915 same goes with you. You dont know me yet you play to judge and jury me. Not everything you see on TV is true. Im one of the family member that had to go thru difficult times. And who are you to judge? lol

[@mouhint]

Hats off and great applause to James and all at ABC news for your good effort in the making of this particular cave rescue story once again. It warms my heart to see that the monk coach Aek and the wild boars are now doing fine and on the way to continue living their normal life. Of course with much more perspective way for such at young ages. James, I salute you in the wonderful job for making the interview in no pressure way and gave them huge comfort thus let the audiences see their innocent way as they typically are. Bless you. Wish you all the best. This interview is worth waiting for indeed.

[@ChongcharoenSornkaewPok]

I’m sure James will get a journalist award of the year. He has such a cool character matching well with the wild boar team. Great chemistry.

[@MrRabgyal]

Coach is saintly! I have just finished watching the documentary and appreciate the effort by the divers and all other volunteers in this rescue operation. And big thank you to Coach Eak. He is one of the heroes!

[@kr.lifestyle]

ถามดีนะ ทำให้ชาวโลกสนใจอยากมาท่องเที่ยวในไทยโดยเฉพาะที่ถ้ำหลวง คนไทยยังอยากไปเที่ยวมากขึ้น ถ้าเราเป็นเมืองท่องเที่ยวก็ไม่น่าจะหวงห้าม ประเทศไทยจะได้มีรายได้มากขึ้น ของดีมีโชวไปเถอะ ข่าวนี้ดีกว่าข่าวฆ่ากันตายรายวันอีก ใครอ่านไม่ออกก็แปลเอานะคะ This is very nice. เด็กๆแก้มพองกันทุกคน น่ารักทุกคน🤗👍

[@burusskorntheanthanoo5374]

Karlsson rungchat

[@aruneelakkham5898]

I heard they called James Bro (Pe James in Thai). So sweet.

[@kaoseda1886]

That's great friend.

[@at1213cl]

Oh really? I don't understand Thai. Thanks for the information!

[@kenfujino6403]

Or Khun Subparod (Khun = Mr., Subparod = Pineapple) .... there was a story about that 😅

[@silviawinarto1274]

The charming coach and reporter. I am sure the love seeds plant by all rescuers and volunteers will grow to big love trees that will give great contribution to the society and human beings.

[@wendyhera4230]

Thank you Mr.James Longman from Thailand. The interview was relaxation not pressure.Wild Boar Academy team are innocent haha i love them.On 6th september Thailand will have the Thank You Party invite people who related and helped Thai cave Rescue Mission, The party want to show because of the mission made people around the world united as one.Nationality region or language do not obstruct. I comfirm chaing rai thailand is beautiful you guys not disappointed.Welcome to Thailand my country.

[@EstherTan-uz3pt]

Thank you ABC News and James for bringing us this interview! It was heart warming to see Coach Ek and the boys back to good health and in good spirits! Sending them my very best wishes for a bright future ahead! 😘😘

[@udaya11]

What a lovely interview. I have watched every documentary regarding this. Great job ABC and James Longman. Love from Sri Lanka ❤️❤️

[@astrobuzz10]

When neighboring countries are in trouble Need help Thailand will be one of the first countries to reach out to help, and today we have received help in return from the world. Thank you really from Thailand.

[@yngshiangtan4157]

Great reporting, thanks James & the ABC news team for their hardwork & brought us the best inspirational story as far back as I can remembered. Kudos !

[@VeryMerryLou]

These boys are so special... Praying you grow up to be outstanding contributing members in the society. Be good always!!!

[@sujandhar3980]

How many of you? " thirteen " " Brilliant " It's touched my heart .

[@klm4157]

Came here after watvhing Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue Series. It was so good and very heartwarming!

[@Jbmc65]

I remember this day and I was so happy to see these boys where alive. All the volunteers are hero’s. From the professional divers to all the cooks and the folks that worked so hard to bring all the supplies needed. Everyone involved are true hero’s. Just ask the boys, I’m sure they would agree.

[@rungnaphanmura69]

Great interview, special 12 Boys and Coach so sweet.👍👏❤️

[@pimmacdonald9297]

It is very relaxing and enjoyable interview.

[@amywells8609]

Adul, the English speaker, the immigrant. I’m glad he was allowed to live in Thailand. He was a great help. I’m so thankful all of these boys are safe and healthy It was a beautiful thing to watch the world come together for 1 goal. It’s incredible what we do we we all come together ❤️

[@zeldanadia9471]

how many came here after watching the movie 13 lives ? what an amazing movie it was my respect goes out to each one of you that help save these boy also i hope the coach got awarded for keeping the boys calm ❤ RIP Saman Gunan and PO Beirut Pakbara

[@jaroonejaroone9290]

Thanks you Mr. Longman from Thailland

[@marcellepesek3038]

Thank you for this gripping story, we lived along with the affected boys and their families and friends. I am so glad that they all survived, and wish them thorough healing of body and soul. And a big hand to all the participants, workers, the boys themselves, the journalists, etc. It proves how we can all pull together and be united in a precious common cause. It was so heartwarming to see all the smiles!!

[@rachelcronin916]

OMG! The cutest darn kids and so smart! Adorable group! So thrilling that they are all out and doing better every single day!

[@RobinHood89566]

So glad abc spent 6 min talking about how amazing it is that abc and no one else got the interview! Bravo.

[@setzero8624]

2022, I still watching this!

[@NDE108]

James Longman did such a good job at befriending shy kids. Respect.

[@apeachpink5345]

Thank you ABC news

[@sulmamejia7508]

Beautiful interview, thank you James.

[@riaarunde9553]

The best interview James..regards from Indonesia to 13 thai boys

[@SusanMinhTrangNguyen]

Such a conservative and professional interview. Well done James Longman. Hope all the boys & coach a speedy recovery! RIP Sam Kunan may your sweet soul Rest In Peace 😢❤️

[@kr.lifestyle]

Very good and thank you.🙂👍🙏

[@marielang9474]

great interview james!

[@kasiek9893]

We appreciated you present this ordeal with the happy ending. Seeing the boys gain weight and smiles, make us feel relieved. Thanks James and ABC news again for all the news about this mission.

[@belbahadurg1]

Thanks ABC News for the video! I was following the story since Day 1.

[@tulayabuapang138]

Thank you so much, ABC News 😀

[@ninaolgasativa528]

[@susanngin3481]

Happy to see those smiling faces n the coach. James interviewed them in a leisurely manner for them to open up. Without the world n 2 expertise divers help.....these boys will be in dilemma......God bless them tru their prayers......Million thanks for those giving a helping hand. Thanks ABC news for reporting n sharing.

[@user-jh2ko1dc8d]

Very nice. thank you from Thai people

[@nptsmirabilis]

They seemed shy and awkward, if they felt more comfortable they might give longer answers.

[@Protantagonist]

Now Hollywood is probably gonna make a movie about this....

[@Whitneypyant]

Jens they are making six films

[@jayel8475]

They are making a way to put a lot of drama on it.. But I think the thai movie industry would be the first to make a movie.. Anyway it will be great can't wait to watch it...

[@lindavilmaole5003]

thank you for this video. I like to see them in this status with faces filled out and looking very healthy.

[@at1213cl]

Thank you ABC News! Thank you James Longman! Pls keep us posted about the boys and the Coach but always remember not to raise/ask anything that is sensitive to them. They are just like our kids or nephews. We will be very happy to see them healthy (both physically and mentally) and being good!! Thx a lot!

[@litaslon6485]

Thank you very much

[@Kakai0307]

There is still goodness in the World! Thank you to the British divers, Australian Drivers, all the divers (I'm sorry if I forgot someone), the Royal Thai Navy Seals, the US Military, the Thai Government, everybody around the world that volunteered and all the reporters, thank you ABC News!

[@Violet.18]

Ah this story gets me every time 🥺. Such a miracle💫. The divers are true heros. I hope the divers and the 13 thai boys (including Coach Ekk) have nothing but the very best that life has to offer for the rest of their lives 🙏❤️

[@twstf8905]

This seems like it happened SO much longer ago than 2018, for some reason.

[@joshuapaullim7216]

Great job James & ABC! Funny how they were able to gain their weight back, everyone looks healthy especially “Tern” who looks like a Liitle Buddha now with his bulky cheeks...I’m sure a number of their friends/teammates are quite envious with by the local and worldwide attention they are getting. They are a step closer to achieving their dreams of becoming a PRO player as invitations from Manchester, Benfica and Barcelona for some Training Camps and watch couple of free games will surely massively motivates this Wild Boars teams to pursue with their dream. Adul have a 99.9% if meeting in person Messi(Ronaldo,maybe as Juventus have not sent any invitations just yet). Pong will surely be ecstatic to see Kane. The lives of these Wild Boars is change forever....Hoping and praying they stay modest for the rest of their lives...and hope Coach Ek will gain some training as a coach as well....

[@user-os3fp9gg2x]

Very exceptional interview from ABC.

[@joetricomi]

Great journalism thank you ABC

[@9084momo]

Mr. Longman, you are so awesome reporter, love u.

[@shedrick2417]

SEEING A THAI TRIED SPEAKING ENGLISH IS REALLY NICE AND KINDA PROUD ! 💪🏻

[@lanachau3308]

You guy did a great job.

[@lovelywow6603]

Thank you ABC News for this interview , love you love you , ููููI comment from Thailand ้haๆๆๆ sawatdeeka สวัสดีค่ะ

[@mutyaja6782]

Very strong spirit of the coach,to keep the boys together alive n responsibility it so hard for him,is a hero to,I thought...👍🙂 n 1 more things,all of them very polite.

[@diamondpond46]

Best channel ever.

[@gregoryfuzi4745]

Very brave children.

[@shotgun4758]

I love ABC news. Thank you James Longman

[@anthonymichaelboyce4641]

What a lovely story.i didn't realise how far they was in the cave.3hrs dive time just think about that for a moment. 3 hrs in the dark underwater it was a unbelievable rescue just a shame they had the 1 casualty

[@lom100810]

คุณเจมส์น่ารัก.พระเอกกับเด็กๆก้อดูมีความสุข.เป็นกันเอง.คำถามไม่เครียด#รักหมูป่าอะคาเดมี่#ถ้ำหลวง

[@commonsense571]

These babies so beautiful my God thank you ❤

[@jayel8475]

Good Job ABC ♥

[@at1213cl]

The boys have gained a lot of weight , especially Tle(Tern). Tle looks more and more like a young budda, haha! Titan, Mark, Dom, Tle, Mig, Bew, Pong, Adul, Tee, Nick, Note and Night, all of them are good, polite and lovely kids! And the coach is a kind hearted man. I am so impressed that the boys go to see the coach everyday after school cause they don't want him to be lonely.

[@kenfujino6403]

at1213cl Apparently, we learned that Tle got allergic to some medicines, then he got that cheeks.

[@kathykp-oay712]

Thank you for reporting all wonderful news about this incident..

[@robertjones3700]

Love this

[@ImAshlynnCarter]

What an amazing message from adul at the end 😭

[@elenastone6011]

Thailand people gave the world a gift which is lacking in modern times....strong religious belief.

[@toby7718]

When is the movie

[@noulee2215]

Please I cannot wait neither ;)

[@ernamuyano9311]

Gods miracle to bring all the people united and saved the children and the coach , Godless everyone, truly another way that with the Lord every thing is possible ❤️❤️❤️

[@deeseoul]

I can tell Ek is a really good guy 👍🏻

[@user-sp4ij8ps3k]

It's sad that one of them passed away at young age.

[@animeshsahoo5791]

Salute to coach

[@jennybui6719]

Good job Jame longman

[@ThePnnk]

feel good thailand

[@kennethgoldsmith3851]

I had no idea they were fully sedated when they were rescued

[@TruthBTold-]

This will be a Lifetime movie on the Lifetime channel

[@AmirSquad]

Truth B. Told Hey if you don’t mind can you subscribe to my channel please

[@kevin6293]

Truth B. Told, but it involves like zero women 🧐

[@TruthBTold-]

@@kevin6293 dip shit ALL THE WOMEN will TUNE in because they care about the kids

[@kevinfleming5849]

The title is a bit misleading… It should say “Interview about the exclusive interview…”

[@GingerAndZest]

Thank you for sharing more of their story. One of the most notable wonders of the Thai boys and coach is their composure, spirit, fortitude to stay preoccupied with checkers and determination to dig out of the cave. All this composure at such a young age and the dedicated coach/monk who has lovingly influenced them. Why isn't the camera more on the Thai boys and coach and a close-up when they are speaking? The story is to learn more about their individual personalities/nature not the interviewer, right? Where did everyone learn such composure and spirit, which are likely why they survived.

[@gufilmmm9056]

บิวน่ารักที่สุดดด

[@robertangel30]

I hope James Longmen had fun in Thailand. :)

[@kkittysirinipa5505]

คนไทยมีไหมม

[@TheThesun19]

Well done ABC

[@butsayaphianjit3840]

Good story it’s a miracle wild boars

[@benjamaschaiwichian7807]

ชอบข่าวสื่อนี้ ทำข่าวดีคะ

[@hyorin4557]

This guy just inspired me to a better journalist 💪🏻

[@magssenible59]

Adul seems like the spokesman among the boys, perhaps the most outgoing? Or at least the most self-possessed to speak up. Seems fairly mature.

[@omgwth7567]

what a cute little boy! (i mean James Longman.)

[@plallychu1623]

than you

[@kathykp-oay712]

They both look alike...Thought they are twin.. LOL

[@laurarudolph7451]

Handsome happy healthy boys! Thank goodness! Well done everybody!!! Maybe no more cave searching!!

[@Gigi-kd1zl]

I need to be in this monastery! :)

[@shazidoll]

What about the deceased diver? More could've been said about him...please, let's not forget him 🙏

[@moet3121]

Maybe because the psychologist didnt allow them to ask questions that would be a bad reminder of the situation

[@martyrose]

They said in the beginning that they would not be discussing him because they didn't want to upset the boys.

[@nazezesasese2841]

There will be a statue for the dead diver as the reminder at the cave. Don’t worry, no one will forget him, especially for these boys.

[@lilychua7866]

Celebrate his bravery and not shame the boys for being caught in the situation.

[@meggyparas75]

no one will forget the heroic deed of Sgt. Sam , but they were just avoiding questions about him and these kids/boys will soon after feel the guilt.. but we all so glad to see these wild boars healthy and happy and full of dreams. thank you ABC news for this interview.

[@wigra9359]

A lot of places to go why go into the cave. The rescue operation even caused loss of life to one of the thai navy seal. Coaches are grown up man and should know a safe place to go. Rainy season can caused all sorts of danger especially rivers sea beaches and not forgetting caves. The boys and the parents are of course happy after the successful rescue mission, but not the family of the late Thai Navy Seal. The world express deepest sympathy to the family of the decease. May his soul rest in peace. ✝️

[@klm4157]

For people in the suburbs, it is very normal to visit caves. That cave is a tourist attraction and their team happen to do many cave excursions as training or after practice reward. Take note there was no monsoon warning since it’s said that the monsoon season with arrive in a month or so. If you do research or follow the news it really is NOT the coach nor the childrens fault. The news brought attention to the world not knowing if the boys were still alive so these navy’s and divers all over the world helped to find them.

[@cherrytraveller5915]

An expert was due to enter the cave to do a solo explore just 1 week after the team got caught which shows how quickly this all happened. It wasn't monsoon season it was a month out from monsoon season. It was a flash flood and that was it.

[@WOLFROY47]

they are so much more themselves, when there are no politicians around, telling them how to answer. i did wonder, how his english, was being translated so quickly, was the interview edited ?

[@kenfujino6403]

Now as one of their followers, we can say that to gather in the temple is safer than being outside . Since there are some different opinions or some attitudes that make them get pressure.

[@shazidoll]

*tear*

[@user-sp4ij8ps3k]

I'm happy for this successful rescue but can I just say, the reporter is cute.