• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Thai boy rescued from cave speaks out: 'Thought about my parents'

2:46
11-year-old Thai soccer player held onto coach's back during rescue
ABC News
ABC News correspondant James Longman.
ByJames Longman
July 19, 2018, 9:21 AM

Chanin "Titan" Vibulrungruang said he was surprised the entire world was waiting to see him.

"Was it a good surprise?" ABC News asked the boy, following his recent extraction from a flooded cave in Thailand along with his soccer teammates and coach.

"A lot of people are supporting and encouraging," he said.

Titan and his father sat down with ABC News to discuss Titan's recent experience.

Related Articles

(MORE: Boys say they dug holes in cave to try to save themselves)

Related Articles

(MORE: 'Superman' doctor who cared for soccer team in Thai cave reunites with boys in hospital)

Related Articles

(MORE: Water rushed back into Thailand cave soon after boys soccer team was rescued: Official)

"At first," Titan's father said, "I was really happy and surprised because he is now finally safe." He said he was at the cave searching for his son "every day since the first day" Titan was missing.

Rescued soccer player "Titan" Chanin Vibulrungruang reacts after paying respect to a portrait of Saman Gunan, the Thai Navy SEAL diver who died in the rescue attempt, during a press conference in Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 18, 2018.
Rescued soccer player "Titan" Chanin Vibulrungruang reacts after paying respect to a portrait of Saman Gunan, the Thai Navy SEAL diver who died in the rescue attempt, during a press conference discussing their ordeal in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, July 18, 2018.
Vincent Thian/AP

Parents of other missing boys waited together and supported each other, he added.

"Everyone felt less worried after the first five days because all of the staff and volunteers were working really hard to find them," he said. "Also the staff said they found some evidence leading to the presence of the kids inside the cave, so we felt relieved, unlike the very first days that all the parents were worried."

Titan said he "thought about my parents" and felt that they "would be waiting in front of the cave."

Titan has returned home and said he's feeling healthier. He's enjoying some of his favorite foods again, including red curry with pork, and spending more time with his family. And he's going to get to watch some soccer soon.

"I'm excited," he said, "that they are going to take our team to see the actual teams."

Up Next in News—

Pilot killed in Florida plane crash hailed as hero

April 21, 2026

Athlete drowns during Ironman Texas triathlon

April 20, 2026

Skydiver speaks out after crashing into Virginia Tech stadium scoreboard

April 20, 2026

Gas station clerk speaks out after foiling alleged kidnapping

April 15, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News