Royal Thai Navy Seal commander Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew said Tuesday that seven members of his unit - including a doctor and a nurse - are now with the 12 boys and their coach in the cave where they took shelter.
He told a news conference that his team members "have given the boys food, starting from easily digested and high-powered food with enough minerals."
He said that having the rescued people dive out of the cave was one of several options being considered. If it were employed, he said they "have to be certain that it will work and have to have a drill to make that it's 100% safe."
He said there was no rush to bring them out as they are safe where they are.
Divers of the navy's elite Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), nicknamed the Seals, are the lead unit involved in the search and rescue effort.