Thailand cave rescue news: Boy celebrates 14th birthday underground as officials warn of more flooding

Good spirits: Dom, believed to be third from left, celebrated his birthday in the cave
Thai Navy SEALS/Facebook
Fiona Simpson4 July 2018

A teenage boy trapped in a cave in Thailand with 11 others and his football coach has celebrated his 14th birthday underground.

Rescuers found the young football team on Monday following a dramatic nine day search but they were told they would have to swim out of Tham Luang Nang Non or wait up to four months to leave.

Duangpetch Phromthep, known as “Dom” is believed to have celebrated his birthday underground on Monday.

Pichaya Keawkemtong, believed to be his mum, wrote on Facebook: "Happy birthday, Dom. I wish you to be very happy. It's almost coming out. I'm so happy. Dom's birthday is the day that Dom is very lucky."

She shared moving throwback images of the boy smiling with a birthday cake.

On Tuesday night, Thai Navy SEALS released new footage of the group appearing in good health inside the cave.

Some of the boys, aged between 11 and 16, are wearing foil blankets but appear to be in good spirits and even share a joke despite being told they must swim from the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave or face being trapped for another four months.

Rescuers reached the group on Monday after they went missing after exploring the huge cavern’s six mile tunnels after a football match on June 23.

Graphic shows where the young boys and their coach were found
MailOnline

On Tuesday, officials in Thailand warned that heavy rains forecast could worsen flooding in a cave possibly forcing authorities to have them swim out through a narrow, underwater passage in the cavern.

“While efforts to pump out floodwaters are continuing, it's clear that some areas of the sprawling cavern cannot be drained”, said Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, a member of Thailand's ruling military junta.

Thailand Cave Rescue - In pictures

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While rescuers worked to establish a plan to free the group, they were give solid food for the first time since their discovery.

Thai workers transport soil to adjust the ground in front of the cave
EPA

Rear Admiral Arpakorn Yookongkaew said his team members "have given the boys food, starting from easily digested and high-powered food with enough minerals".

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