How being trapped in a cave could affect the Thai boys psychologically

Coach Ekapol Chanthawong (centre) with his students from the Wild Boars football team. (Photo: Twitter/@yvvonelim9)

By the end of this day, the four remaining boys and their 25-year-old coach still stuck in the Tham Luang cave will hopefully be out in the sunshine again. So far, eight of the Wild Boars football team -- who were trapped in the cave since June 24 while exploring it -- have been rescued. A team of over a hundred expert divers working in tandem will be going in today for the last time to bring back the remaining.

There is, however, one nagging question. How will this experience affect the young boys?

The 12 boys, all aged between 11 and 16, lived the first nine days in the dreaded pits of the Tham Luang cave with no contact with the outside world, clinging to the hope of being somehow found. After they were discovered, they spent another six days (more for those yet to be rescued) in there.

Physically, the ones rescued have put through multiple tests to check for infections and other adverse effects the cave stay may have had on them. A senior health official has confirmed that the boys are in "high spirits" and have strong immune systems.