Prayers for a hero: Thai cave boys visit Buddhist temple on their first day home to honour the Navy SEAL diver who died trying to save them as Brit diver insulted by Elon Musk flies home

  • Eleven of the Wild Boars footballers and their coach visited a Buddhist temple on Thailand's northern border
  • They were seen in front of a portrait of former Thai Navy SEAL Saman Gunan who died trying to rescue them 
  • Pictures also show British diver Vern Unsworth at Bangkok airport a day after Tesla CEO Elon Musk apologised for calling him 'pedo guy' on Twitter

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The young footballers rescued from caves in Thailand have started their first day back home by visiting a Buddhist temple - to honour a diver who died trying to save them.

Eleven of the boys and their coach joined their families at the Wat Pra That Doi Wao temple, overlooking Myanmar on Thailand's northern border as they knelt to pray for protection from misfortunes. 

A portrait was displayed of Saman Gunan, the former Navy SEAL who lost his life while playing his part in the rescue of the Wild Boars team. The team have already said they would ordain as Buddhist novices to honour Gunan.

It comes as pictures emerged of British diver Vern Unsworth - who was instrumental in the rescue operation - at Bangkok International Airport a day after Tesla CEO Elon Musk apologised for calling him 'pedo guy'.

Young footballers rescued from caves in Thailand have started their first day back home by visiting a Buddhist temple - to pay their respects to a diver who died trying to save them

Young footballers rescued from caves in Thailand have started their first day back home by visiting a Buddhist temple - to pay their respects to a diver who died trying to save them

The 11 boys and their coach joined their families at the Wat Pra That Doi Wao temple, overlooking Myanmar on Thailand's northern border as they knelt to pray for protection from misfortunes

The 11 boys and their coach joined their families at the Wat Pra That Doi Wao temple, overlooking Myanmar on Thailand's northern border as they knelt to pray for protection from misfortunes

A portrait was displayed of Saman Gunan, the former Navy SEAL who lost his life while playing his part in the rescue of the Wild Boars team

A portrait was displayed of Saman Gunan, the former Navy SEAL who lost his life while playing his part in the rescue of the Wild Boars team

Pictures have emerged of British diver Vern Unsworth (in the orange shirt) - who was instrumental in the rescue operation - at Bangkok International Airport a day after Tesla CEO Elon Musk apologised for calling him 'pedo guy' 

Pictures have emerged of British diver Vern Unsworth (in the orange shirt) - who was instrumental in the rescue operation - at Bangkok International Airport a day after Tesla CEO Elon Musk apologised for calling him 'pedo guy' 

The billionaire insulted Mr Unsworth on Twitter after Mr Unsworth dismissed Mr Musk's offer to help save the children using a mini-submarine as a 'PR stunt'.

Mr Unsworth had said he was considering legal action, while some investors in Mr Musk's company had demanded an apology.

Yesterday Mr Musk wrote that 'my words were spoken in anger' after Mr Unsworth said the businessman could 'stick his submarine where it hurts'. 

Mr Musk added: 'Nonetheless, his actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologise'.

But Mr Unsworth, who lives in Thailand, told Australia's 7 News: 'It's not finished. I believe he has called me a paedophile.' 

On Wednesday evening, the boys and coach faced the media for the first time since their ordeal, describing their surprise at seeing two British divers rising from muddy waters in the recesses of the cave. It would be another week before they were pulled out of the Tham Luang cave.

'We weren't sure if it was for real,' 14-year-old Adul said. 'So we stopped and listened. And it turned out to be true. I was shocked.' 

The team has already said they would ordain as Buddhist novices to honour Gunan. They are pictured kneeling to pray in a temple today

The team has already said they would ordain as Buddhist novices to honour Gunan. They are pictured kneeling to pray in a temple today

A remaining member of the squad, Adul Sargon, who is not a Buddhist, did not attend the ceremony, which is meant to extend one's life and protect it from dangers

A remaining member of the squad, Adul Sargon, who is not a Buddhist, did not attend the ceremony, which is meant to extend one's life and protect it from dangers

On Wednesday evening, the boys and coach faced the media for the first time since their ordeal, describing their surprise at seeing two British divers rising from muddy waters in the recesses of the cave

On Wednesday evening, the boys and coach faced the media for the first time since their ordeal, describing their surprise at seeing two British divers rising from muddy waters in the recesses of the cave

Coach Ekkapol Janthawong, second from left, and members of the rescued soccer team enjoy their breakfast before a Buddhist ceremony that is believed to extend the lives of its attendees as well as ridding them of dangers and misfortunes in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand today

Coach Ekkapol Janthawong, second from left, and members of the rescued soccer team enjoy their breakfast before a Buddhist ceremony that is believed to extend the lives of its attendees as well as ridding them of dangers and misfortunes in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand today

In one poignant and emotional moment at the news conference, a portrait was displayed of Gunan. One of the boys, 11-year-old Chanin 'Titan' Vibulrungruang, the youngest of the group, covered his eyes as if wiping away a tear.

'I feel sad. And another thing is I'm really impressed with Sgt. Sam for sacrificing his life for all 13 Wild Boars to be able to live our lives outside happily and normally,' he said. 

'When we found out, everyone was sad. Extremely sad, like we were the cause of this that made the sergeant's family sad and having to face problems.'

The Wild Boars had entered the cave on June 23 for what was to be a relaxing excursion after soccer practice. 

But rain began, and water soon filled the cavern, cutting off their escape, and they huddled on a patch of dry ground deep inside the cave.

Coach Ekapol 'Ake' Chanthawong said the trip was meant to last one hour, simply because 'each of us wanted to see what was inside.'

The Wild Boars had entered the cave on June 23 for what was to be a relaxing excursion after soccer practice. Some of the boys are pictured praying at the temple today

The Wild Boars had entered the cave on June 23 for what was to be a relaxing excursion after soccer practice. Some of the boys are pictured praying at the temple today

Sompong Jaiwong (centre), a member of the rescued soccer team, arrives for a Buddhist ceremony in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province today

Sompong Jaiwong (centre), a member of the rescued soccer team, arrives for a Buddhist ceremony in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province today

Members of the rescued soccer team today paid their respects  in front of a portrait of Saman Gunan, the retired Thai SEAL diver who died during their rescue attempt

Members of the rescued soccer team today paid their respects in front of a portrait of Saman Gunan, the retired Thai SEAL diver who died during their rescue attempt

Members of the "Wild Boars" football team rescued from a cave in northern Thailand prayed for good luck at a Buddhist temple on Thursday morning after spending their first night back home with family

Members of the 'Wild Boars' football team rescued from a cave in northern Thailand prayed for good luck at a Buddhist temple on Thursday morning after spending their first night back home with family

The teammates and coach were discharged from hospital Wednesday after recuperating for a week from their 18-day ordeal inside Tham Luang cave with no food and only rainwater to drink

The teammates and coach were discharged from hospital Wednesday after recuperating for a week from their 18-day ordeal inside Tham Luang cave with no food and only rainwater to drink

When the hour was up, they were pretty deep inside and already had swum through some flooded areas in the spirit of adventure. 

But in turning back, he discovered the way was not at all clear, and he swam ahead to scout the route, attaching a rope to himself so the boys could pull him back if necessary.

He said he had to be pulled out.

Ekapol said he told the boys: 'We cannot go out this way. We have to find another way.'

The boys told reporters of their reactions at that point.

'I felt scared. I was afraid I wouldn't get to go home and my mom would scold me, said Mongkol Boonpiam, 13, prompting laughter.

Ekarat Wongsukchan, 14, said they decided 'to calm ourselves first, to try to fix the problem and find a way out. Be calm and not shocked.'

The group had taken no food with them and survived by drinking water that dripped from the cave walls, Ekapol said, adding that all the boys knew how to swim, which had been a concern for rescuers.

Wearing threads of white string tied around their wrists and holding hands together in prayer, the boys sat together in the temple while chants of Buddhist monks (pictured) filled the room. 

Wearing threads of white string tied around their wrists and holding hands together in prayer, the boys sat together in the temple while chants of Buddhist monks (pictured) filled the room. 

Soccer coach Ekkapol Janthawong (second from left) and members of the rescued soccer team attend a Buddhist ceremony

Soccer coach Ekkapol Janthawong (second from left) and members of the rescued soccer team attend a Buddhist ceremony

Cameras flashed away as the now-famous Wild Boars entered the temple on Thursday, in a sign of the ongoing interest in the story. Film production houses have said they are looking into a Hollywood-style treatment of the harrowing ordeal, which captivated people around the world as the risky operation to extract the team unfolded

Cameras flashed away as the now-famous Wild Boars entered the temple on Thursday, in a sign of the ongoing interest in the story. Film production houses have said they are looking into a Hollywood-style treatment of the harrowing ordeal, which captivated people around the world as the risky operation to extract the team unfolded

Titan said he tried hard not to think about food. 'When I'm starving, I don't think of food otherwise it'd make me more hungry.'

Adul said they were digging around the spot when they heard the voices and Ekapol called for silence.

He recounted how Ekapol told them to '`quickly get down there, that's the sound of a person, or else they're going to pass on by,' something like that.'

But he said his teammate holding the flashlight was scared, so Adul told him 'If you're not going to go, then I'll go.'

'So I quickly took the flashlight, and quickly went down, and I greeted them, `hello,'' Adul added.

Psychologists had vetted the journalists' questions in advance to avoid bringing up any aspects of the rescue that might disturb them. 

The dangers of the complicated operation, in which the boys were extracted in three separate missions with diving equipment and pulleys through the tight passageways, were not discussed.

Doctors said the 13 were physically and mentally healthy. Although they lost an average of 9lbs during the more than two weeks they were trapped in the cave, they have since gained about 6.5lbs on average since their rescue. They were treated for minor infections.

Asked what he had learned from their experience, 13-year-old Mongkol Boonpiam said he felt stronger. 'I have more patience, endurance, tolerance,' he said.

Adul said it had taught him 'not to live life carelessly.'

After spending a night at home many of the boys attended a ceremony the next morning at Wat Pha That Doi Wao in Mae Sai near the Myanmar border where they prayed for longevity and a good life

After spending a night at home many of the boys attended a ceremony the next morning at Wat Pha That Doi Wao in Mae Sai near the Myanmar border where they prayed for longevity and a good life

They also paid tribute to a former Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Kunan (pictured), who ran out of oxygen and died while helping resupply air tanks along the cave's narrow passageways. He was the only casualty in the otherwise successful operation that was dubbed 'Mission Impossible'

They also paid tribute to a former Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Kunan (pictured), who ran out of oxygen and died while helping resupply air tanks along the cave's narrow passageways. He was the only casualty in the otherwise successful operation that was dubbed 'Mission Impossible'

 Officials have advised families of the youngsters to avoid interviews with the media for one month to let them settle back into their normal routines

 Officials have advised families of the youngsters to avoid interviews with the media for one month to let them settle back into their normal routines

The youngsters walked into the cave on June 23 after football practice, thinking they would only be there for an hour to explore, and then vanished for days until they were finally found

The youngsters walked into the cave on June 23 after football practice, thinking they would only be there for an hour to explore, and then vanished for days until they were finally found

The team spent more than two weeks trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave before being rescued by an international team of divers

The team spent more than two weeks trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave before being rescued by an international team of divers

While many of the boys wanted to be pro soccer players when they grow up, at least four of them said they hope to become navy SEALs, so they could help others.

All expressed their apologies to their families.

'I wanted to apologize to my parents. I know that I will get yelled at by mom when I get home,' said Pornchai Kamluang, 16.

Ekarat said sheepishly he wanted to apologize to his parents because while he told them he was going to a cave, he told them the wrong one.

'I told them I was going to Tham Khun Nam,' he said. 'I didn't tell them I went to Tham Luang. So I was wondering how they found us at the right cave.'

A remaining member of the squad, Adul Sargon, who is not a Buddhist, did not attend today's ceremony, which is meant to extend one's life and protect it from dangers.