A final push to rescue the trapped "Wild Boars" football team ended successfully yesterday evening with the last four boys and their coach extracted from the flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district.
All 12 boys and their 25-year-old football coach were evacuated to safety following an exhausting and perilous 17-day search and rescue operation involving the collaboration of hundreds of Thai officials and elite cave divers from around the world.
The trapped team were found on July 2, deep inside the labyrinthine cave, 10 days after they ventured inside after football practice on June 23 and were stuck there when heavy rains caused it to become flooded.
"The 12th Wild Boar and the coach are now out of the cave," the Thai Navy Seals posted on their Facebook account at 6.48pm on the final day of the mission.
A source said the 9th boy came out at 4.12pm, followed by the 10th and 11th at 4.33pm and 5.13pm, respectively.
All were taken to a nearby field hospital for initial medical checkups before being transferred to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital in Muang district.
The last three Seal divers exited the cave along with Colonel Pak Loharachun, commander of the medical battalion in Nakhon Ratchasima. They had been inside the cave since the team was found by two British divers on July 2.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected rumours on social media that the boys had been given anaesthetic to facilitate the operation during their exit journey. "How on earth would they make it out if they were drugged?" he asked.
However, Gen Prayut admitted that doctors had given the boys medication to relieve their anxiety.
The prime minister said he visited the eight boys who were rescued earlier at the hospital on Monday evening and all were in good spirits.
Gen Prayut credited all those involved for the successful rescue and said he had sent letters of appreciation thanking foreign leaders for their contributions.
Eight boys previously brought out from the cave complex -- four on Sunday and another four on Monday -- were in good condition yesterday morning after some were treated for low body temperatures and suspected lung infections, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.
Dr Jessada Chokdamrongsuk, permanent secretary for health, told reporters at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital that upon arrival the eight footballers were given a medical examination and received nutrients, vitamins, vaccines and antibiotics.
Of the first four who were brought out on Sunday, two were diagnosed with a lung infection, one had a scrape on his ankle and some had low body temperatures, but their conditions had stabilised by yesterday morning, Dr Jessada said.
They were initially all placed on a special diet, despite one asking for fried pork with Thai basil. They had no problem later eating a proper meal because they had already been given food in gel form by rescuers in the cave, he said.
The second group of four boys, aged 12-14, also arrived at the hospital with low body temperatures. One was very cold and had an unusually low pulse.
After being treated, all had been restored to good health by yesterday morning, Dr Jessada added.
All the boys were reportedly in a good psychological condition. They were able to talk and none had a fever.
However, their white blood cell counts were initially high and doctors were awaiting the results of laboratory tests, due in a few days, to learn if they had contracted any diseases inside the cave, he said.
The first four boys have already met their families through windows while a quarantine period is observed, he said.
"The boys are frequently hungry," he said. "This morning the first four asked for bread and chocolate spread."
"They are athletes, so their bodies resist illness well," he added. "They are still on saline drips so doctors can provide medication intravenously."
When asked if they could accept Fifa's offer to watch the World Cup final in Russia on Sunday, Dr Jessada said: "They may have to watch the rest of the games on TV because they are still in quarantine."
Their parents should be able to see them in person after two days but they must wear sterilised clothing and maintain a distance of 2 metres, said Tosthep Bunthong, Chiang Rai's Public Health Chief.