The boys became trapped when flash floods engulfed the cave they were exploring on June 23.
After ten days of searching, the boys were found by rescue divers, but conditions remained too treacherous to free the group.
After a Thai Navy SEAL died trying to dive out of the cave and monsoons promised more flooding, officials decided they could wait no longer.
Today, the last group of boys and their coach were pulled alive from the cave in an extraordinary once in a lifetime rescue operation.
Since the boys were found, Thai news outlets have been working to piece together information about the boys’ role in their team and personalities so we might understand who the brave team is.
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Who are the Wild Boars?
The goalies
The goalkeeper is 14-year-old Ekkarat Wongsookchan (nickname: Bew). Bew is said to be very disciplined, and is responsible for collecting the team’s equipment at the end of every match.
He promised to help his mother at her shop when he escaped the cave in a letter.
In the cave with him is his friend Pipat Bodhi, 15 (nickname: Nick). He isn’t a Wild Boar, he just joined for the day to spend time with Bew.
Prajak Sutham, 15 (nickname: Note), sometimes plays goal when he’s not in midfield. He was described by his family as a “smart, quiet guy”.
Reuters
Thai cave rescue: The boys became trapped when flash floods engulfed the cave they were exploring
The defenders
Pornchai Kamluang, 16 (nickname: Tee), wrote: ”Don’t worry, I’m very happy,” in a letter to his parents.
Also in defence is 13-year-old Panumas Saengdee (nickname: Mick), who is said to play football as well as a 15-year-old. He’s being considered as a striker by coaches as he’s strong in the air and skillful with his head.
The midfielders
Adul Sam-on, 14, plays on the left wing. He was the only one in the cave who spoke English, allowing him to communicate with rescue divers, whom the group initially thought was just another group of explorers, oblivious to the huge operation above them.
In the video of the moment the divers found the boys, he can be heard asking divers what day it was and asking for food for his friends.
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Thai cave rescue: Today, the last group of boys and their coach were pulled alive from the cave
Born in Myanmar’s self-governing Wa State, he also speaks Thai, Burmese, and Chinese.
He has received wide praise for his grasp of languages, in a country where less than 30 percent of the population can speak English.
The team also has two right-wingers: Peerapat Sompiangjai, 16, (nickname: Night), and Sompong Jaiwong, 13 (nickname: Pong).
The day the boys became trapped was Night’s birthday, and his parents are waiting to hold a party for him.
There have been reports that the reason the boys went into the cave was in celebration of Night’s birthday.
Pong is said to be a cheerful boy who loves sport and dreams of playing for the Thai national team.
Reuters
Thai cave rescue: The boys sent heart-wrenching letters to their families while trapped
The forwards
Duangpetch Promthep, 13 (nickname: Dom), is forward and team captain.
Dom has been scouted by a number of leading provincial teams, including Sukhothai FC and Chiangrai United FC.
Also forward is Chanin Wiboonrungrueng, 11 (nickname: Titan), the youngest player. He started playing football aged seven.
The third striker is Nattawut Takamsai, 14 (nickname: Tle).
His parents wrote to him that they were waiting for him “in front of the cave.”
The trainee
Mongkol Boonpiam, 14 (nickname: Mark), is a trainee.
Mark’s father Thinnakorn Boonpiem told AFP that his son is a “good boy” who loves to study almost as much as he loves football.
The coach
Assistant coach Ekaphol Chantawong, 25 (nickname: Ake), led the team into the cave on June 23.
Before becoming a football coach, he was a Buddhist monk, and learned how to conserve energy by restricting movements and meditating.
According to local news reports, he taught these techniques to the boys in the cave to help them survive.
Thai authorities have not ruled out charging him with a crime, but Thai government spokesman Lt Gen Werachon Sukondhapatipak told the Guardian that “no one is talking about that”.
In his letter to the world above the cave, Ake apologised to parents for leading their sons to danger.
Many of the parents replied to say they did not blame him for the terrible turn of events.
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Thai cave rescue: The rescue mission was aided by specialists from around the world
“I promise I will take care of the kids as best as I can,” Ake wrote.
There have been reports that Ake was in the worst physical condition when the group was found, refusing to eat any of the limited food supplies, saving them all for the boys.
In a letter to his aunt and grandmother, he wrote: “Do not worry too much about me. Take good care of your health.
“Please prepare vegetable juice and pork rind for me. I’ll have them when I can get out. Thanks.”