Boys trapped in Thai cave write letters telling families ‘don’t worry’

The 12 boys and their soccer coach stuck in a cave in Thailand have been cut off from communication with the outside world for two weeks. But the parents of the boys received a brief respite from that silence on Saturday when Thai navy SEALs delivered seven handwritten notes by the boys.

The letters were shared on social media by the Thai Navy SEALs and translated by ABC News.

And even among the tension brought on by the continuing debate over how to rescue the soccer team, the 13 people in need of rescuing were keeping the mood light, even joking about homework. The first letter, which had no name, said, “If they go out, they’d like to eat many things — they want to go straight to their home — not too much homework, please.”

Also Read: Navy seal dies while rescuing Thai schoolboys trapped in a cave.

“The kids are healthy, coherent, having fun, playing with each other — they have some minor cuts and minor injuries only,” said Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn on Saturday. “They are a little tired because they cannot get healthy, balanced meals.”

The next six letters included brief notes written by each of the boys.

Letter 2
Chanin “Tun” Wiboonrungrueng, 11: “Dad, Mum, don’t worry I’m fine. Tell Yord, prepare to bring me a fried chicken to eat.”

Letter 3
Sompong “Pong” Jaiwong, 13: “Dear Mum and Dad, I love you. Don’t worry, I’m safe. Love you all.”

Pipat “Nick” Bodhi, 15: “Mum, Dad, Nick loves both of you and brother. If I can go out, bring me pork bbq, please. I love Mom, Dad and Brother.”

Letter 4
Mongkol “Mark” Boonpiam, 14: “Are you OK at home mum? Please tell my teacher. Love you mum.”

Panumas “Mick” Saengdee, 13: “Don’t worry. I really miss everyone. Grandpa, uncle, Dad, Mum and [my] brothers. I love you all. I’m very happy here. SEAL team is taking care of me very well. Love you all.”

Letter 5
Duangpetch “Dom” Promthep, 13: “I’m fine but it’s a little bit cold, don’t worry and don’t forget my birthday.”
Adul “Dul” Sam-on, 14: “Don’t worry about us now. I miss everyone. I want to go back now.”

Peerapat “Night” Sompiangjai, 16: “I love Dad, Mum and brother. Don’t worry about me. Night loves everyone.”
Nattawut “Tle” Takamsai, 14: “I miss Mum and Dad and [unintelligible] too. I love both of you. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”

Prajak “Note” Sutham, 14: “I’m safe, don’t worry. Love you Mum, Dad and everyone.”

Letter 7
Ekkarat “Bill” Wongsookchan, 14: “Mum and Dad, don’t worry that I’m missing for two weeks. I will help you at the shop soon.”

Pornchai “Tee” Kamluang, 16: “Mum, Dad, brother and family. Don’t worry, I’m very happy.”

There is great uncertainty about the rescue efforts to bring the boys out of the cave. Officials have been attempting to drain the cave so the boys do not have to dive out of the cave in treacherous conditions and have succeeded in reducing water levels in the first section of the cave to the point that people can wade in and out. But there are still sections of the cave that are flooded and would require anyone traversing them to dive.

The danger of the dive was highlighted yesterday when a former Thai navy Seal diver, Saman Kunan, 38, died while returning from depositing tanks of air along the cave system.

The governor announced on Saturday that they were also looking into drilling down to the boys and are searching the surface of the ground above where they believe the boys to be for shafts that might lead to them. However, the Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said the task was extremely difficult and compared it to shooting at a specific tree in a forest.