Thai basil pork rice is first meal choice for rescued footballers

Spicy Thai basil leaves on rice, or Pad Krapao, was the meal of choice for the four Mu Pa Academy football players after they were rescued from Tham Luang Cave on Sunday, rescue mission chief Narongsak Osottanakorn said on Monday.

The boys, whose names have not been revealed, are being treated at Chiang Rai Prachanukraw Hospital in Muang district.

“They made a special request that they wished to have Pad Krapao,” Narongsak told the  afternoon press briefing.

READ ALSO: Fifth boy brought out of Thai cave on second day of rescue, official says

The four were the first of the 13 Mu Pa team members who were evacuated from the cave since they became trapped on June 23.

As of Tuesday, four other team members and their 25-year-old assistant coach are still stranded in the cave.

"The four children are fine. The children complained that they were hungry and wanted holy basil stir-fried rice,” Narongsak Osottanakorn, the head of the rescue operation, told reporters on Monday, referring to the popular Thai dish.

Narongsak added that medical teams are considering whether to allow them to be reunited with their parents as they are being kept in a quarantined room.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda also said the boys were in good health. He did not give further details. Officials have yet to confirm the identities of the four boys freed. Narongsak on Monday said their identities were being protected out of respect for the families of those still trapped inside the cave.