THE boys and their football coach who were rescued from a cave in northern Thailand have talked to the media for the first time after their dramatic rescue.

Looking healthy after their 18-day ordeal, the 12 boys recounted the moment they were first found by British divers helping the rescue effort in the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai province.

The Wild Boars team entered the news conference to applause and demonstrated their skills on a miniature football field set up in the hall where they met the media in Chiang Rai.

They then hugged their friends before taking seats with doctors and members of the Thai navy SEAL unit who dived to help bring them out, along with others who helped during their ordeal.

Doctors said the 13 were healthy in body and mind.

They added that the boys had gained around 6.6lbs on average since they were rescued, having lost an average of 9lbs during almost three weeks trapped in the flooded cave.

The conference was the first opportunity the team had to speak to the media, though video of them was released previously. Officials reviewed questions in advance to make certain none might cause damaging psychological effects.

They were asked about the moment when two British cave divers first found them and also the circumstances of how they became trapped there.

The team entered the cave for what was to be a relaxing excursion after football practice. Heavy rain began falling while they were underground, and water filled the caverns, cutting off their escape.

A team of rescuers using diving equipment and pulleys extracted the boys over three days.

The family of one of the boys is preparing their home for his return this week.

Banphot Konkum, an uncle who has raised 13-year-old Duangpetch Promthep, said he will have a renovated bedroom and gifts awaiting him.

“We’ll do whatever he wants. If he wants anything we’ll buy it for him as a present as we promised that when he gets out, whatever he wants we’ll do it for him,” Mr Banphot said.