THAI CAVE LADS LETTERS OF HOPE TO PARENTS ‘Please don’t give us any homework’
THE Thai boys trapped in a cave have told their parents “not to worry” in a series of heartbreaking letters.
Some of the 12 lads also asked to come out as soon as possible and for barbecue food to be sent in.
It is their first exchange with loved ones since being trapped by floodwater two weeks ago.
They also joked they didn’t want too much homework to do when they get out.
The boys from the Wild Boars football team are stranded with their coach. But in the handwritten notes, delivered by expert divers, the players insisted their manager is not to blame for the dramatic situation.
Ekkapol Chantawong, 25, apologised to the mums and dads of the children, who are aged 11 to 16.
The group is stuck in Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Mai Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, after water rose and cut off their exit.
They were found inside the cave on Monday, 10 days after going missing, and teams of Thai and international divers have been supplying them with food, oxygen and medical attention.
One of the youngsters wrote: “Nick loves Mum and Dad and siblings. If I can get out, Mum and Dad please bring me mookatha (Thai barbecue) to eat.”
Another joked: “Teacher, don’t give us lots of homework!”
Coach Ekkapol, also known as Ake, said: “Dear all kids’ parents, now all of them are fine, the rescue team is treating us well. “I apologise to the kids’ parents.”
The team could be trapped for months with the country’s monsoon season threatening more heavy rainfall.
It comes as forest marshalls weigh up drilling options.
The children are learning to dive but former Thai Navy SEAL Saman Kunan died while supplying the group with oxygen canisters, raising fears the frail boys will be even more vulnerable.
Meanwhile, businessman Elon Musk, 47, has suggested inserting an “air tunnel like a bouncy castle” into the cave to boost the rescue mission.
The American behind Tesla cars has stepped in to help the dozen lads with his firm the Boring Co. He wrote on Twitter: “Insert a 1m diameter nylon tube through cave network and inflate with air like a bouncy castle. Should create an air tunnel underwater against cave roof.”