1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,340 Speaker 1: This is a C. N. A podcast. 2 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:12,709 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm steve Lie and I have something a little 3 00:00:12,710 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: different for you on this episode of CNN correspondent. And 4 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:18,170 Speaker 1: I say that because most stories you watch or hear 5 00:00:18,170 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: about in the news are about bad things happening. But 6 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: this story that I was fortunate enough to cover over 7 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:28,140 Speaker 1: several weeks started out as a mystery and as more 8 00:00:28,140 --> 00:00:31,230 Speaker 1: information came to light day by day it started to 9 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: look like it was going to turn into a tragedy. 10 00:00:34,180 --> 00:00:37,870 Speaker 1: But instead it was one of the best good news 11 00:00:37,870 --> 00:00:41,070 Speaker 1: stories that I've ever covered in my time at C. N. A. 12 00:00:41,890 --> 00:00:44,380 Speaker 1: In fact it's one of the biggest and most dramatic 13 00:00:44,380 --> 00:00:47,529 Speaker 1: news stories from Asia in recent years, which is why 14 00:00:47,540 --> 00:00:49,510 Speaker 1: it's gotten the Hollywood treatment. 15 00:00:55,130 --> 00:00:57,050 Speaker 1: It takes a certain kind of mindset for 16 00:00:57,050 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 2: the deep cave diving. 17 00:00:58,490 --> 00:00:59,300 Speaker 1: You have to be a bit 18 00:00:59,490 --> 00:00:59,990 Speaker 2: nuts. 19 00:01:00,660 --> 00:01:05,010 Speaker 2: They're very, very dangerous, high water levels and the low visibility, 20 00:01:05,020 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 2: barely shoulder wide, pulling against very strong characters 21 00:01:13,540 --> 00:01:16,619 Speaker 1: Last seen nine days ago. 12 boys and their 22 00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 2: coach are trapped in the flooded 23 00:01:18,490 --> 00:01:19,110 Speaker 1: cave. 24 00:01:26,270 --> 00:01:29,610 Speaker 1: Directed by Ron Howard and starring Colin Farrell, Viggo Mortensen 25 00:01:29,610 --> 00:01:33,130 Speaker 1: and Joel Edgerton. This is the biggest retelling of that 26 00:01:33,130 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 1: dramatic cave rescue of the wild boars football teams to date. 27 00:01:36,810 --> 00:01:39,620 Speaker 1: He may have watched some of the numerous documentaries or 28 00:01:39,620 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 1: other film and tv versions of the story to as 29 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:46,020 Speaker 1: 13 Lives was recently released. I thought I'd revisit the 30 00:01:46,020 --> 00:01:49,140 Speaker 1: story for you with someone who lived it and breathed 31 00:01:49,140 --> 00:01:52,090 Speaker 1: it in june and july of 2018, none other than 32 00:01:52,090 --> 00:01:53,740 Speaker 1: Ciena's Thailand correspondents 33 00:01:55,380 --> 00:01:57,730 Speaker 1: great to have you on the pod, how are you doing? 34 00:01:57,740 --> 00:02:00,150 Speaker 2: Hello steve good to be back with you. Thanks for 35 00:02:00,150 --> 00:02:02,430 Speaker 2: having me and I'm ready to go down memory lane. 36 00:02:02,620 --> 00:02:04,660 Speaker 1: What a memory it was. We were both on air 37 00:02:04,660 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: day after day after day me crossing to you as 38 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,670 Speaker 1: having guests in studio, breaking down the story as it unfolded. 39 00:02:11,030 --> 00:02:13,030 Speaker 1: Tell me about some of the memories that you have 40 00:02:13,030 --> 00:02:15,070 Speaker 1: of it. There's no point having a spoiler warning in 41 00:02:15,070 --> 00:02:16,269 Speaker 1: effect is there for this? 42 00:02:16,970 --> 00:02:19,810 Speaker 2: I think most people already know how this ended. But yeah, 43 00:02:19,820 --> 00:02:22,450 Speaker 2: steve of all these stories that we have covered so far. 44 00:02:22,460 --> 00:02:25,989 Speaker 2: I think this is among the craziest that I've covered 45 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 2: because it was a story where the whole world was 46 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 2: glued to the tv or to their mobile devices trying 47 00:02:32,860 --> 00:02:37,250 Speaker 2: to follow every single minute, every single development of it. 48 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,990 Speaker 2: It had everything that a good story needs right, kids 49 00:02:40,990 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 2: in danger, people coming together drama and then most of 50 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 2: all and which is also very different from most stories 51 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:48,660 Speaker 2: recover a happy ending. 52 00:02:48,980 --> 00:02:51,310 Speaker 1: And that happy ending was really hanging in the balance 53 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 1: throughout the length of this story that unfolded in front 54 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:56,250 Speaker 1: of us over sort of three weeks. It took nine 55 00:02:56,250 --> 00:02:58,990 Speaker 1: days before the boys were even discovered how did you 56 00:02:58,990 --> 00:03:00,730 Speaker 1: think the story was going to end? 57 00:03:00,940 --> 00:03:03,130 Speaker 2: Not many stories we cover have a happy ending. So 58 00:03:03,130 --> 00:03:05,690 Speaker 2: therefore we didn't think it would turn out this way 59 00:03:05,690 --> 00:03:09,169 Speaker 2: and also this smoothly as well. In fact, many people 60 00:03:09,169 --> 00:03:11,660 Speaker 2: that we've spoken to, many people that we work with, 61 00:03:11,669 --> 00:03:15,460 Speaker 2: we all thought this would end in tragedy, It's no 62 00:03:15,460 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: exaggeration when people say it's a miracle because really nobody 63 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:19,780 Speaker 2: expected this 64 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,299 Speaker 1: when the information came out was would the boys be found? 65 00:03:23,300 --> 00:03:25,390 Speaker 1: Were they even in the cave in the first place? 66 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,359 Speaker 1: And then how long could they survive in there without 67 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,250 Speaker 1: being found or rescued? And you start thinking about how 68 00:03:31,250 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: much food or water did they have with them? 69 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:34,850 Speaker 1: They're not going to be able to see in the dark. 70 00:03:34,850 --> 00:03:36,540 Speaker 1: If they did have torches, how long would they last? 71 00:03:36,540 --> 00:03:38,490 Speaker 1: And the more you thought about it, the more scary 72 00:03:38,490 --> 00:03:39,780 Speaker 1: and intense, it sort of got 73 00:03:39,790 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. And also because when you think about it, we 74 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: all thought, okay, they were stuck in the cave, they 75 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 2: were missing in the cave. No, they were actually stuck 76 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,190 Speaker 2: in a flooded cave. I think that was the fact 77 00:03:48,190 --> 00:03:50,250 Speaker 2: that a lot of people couldn't wrap their heads around. 78 00:03:50,250 --> 00:03:52,820 Speaker 2: We thought okay, just simply walk out and as we 79 00:03:52,820 --> 00:03:55,790 Speaker 2: then saw the maps and the diagrams of the cave, 80 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:56,990 Speaker 2: for example, what we did 81 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: in the augmented reality segment, the situation. Now, the task 82 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: of getting the group out here, that's the entrance will 83 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,420 Speaker 2: not be easy as well. So what are some of 84 00:04:06,420 --> 00:04:09,950 Speaker 2: the challenges that rescuers face? We all thought, oh no, 85 00:04:09,950 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 2: this is going to be much more difficult. There were 86 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: some parts that was so small and so cramped that 87 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,150 Speaker 2: the rescue divers actually even had to take the oxygen 88 00:04:18,150 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 2: tanks off in order to squeeze through those passages. 89 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,220 Speaker 1: That sort of information that came out was absolutely remarkable. 90 00:04:24,220 --> 00:04:26,620 Speaker 1: I remember seeing Glenda at the video war with all 91 00:04:26,620 --> 00:04:29,940 Speaker 1: this augmented reality in front of her walking the audience 92 00:04:29,950 --> 00:04:32,790 Speaker 1: through the different chambers, the level of the water that 93 00:04:32,790 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: was in play, the length and the depth that the 94 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:37,010 Speaker 1: cave that they had gone into was and all the 95 00:04:37,010 --> 00:04:38,330 Speaker 1: complexities as well. That apart 96 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:42,350 Speaker 2: the rescue divers, they later spoke that a there was 97 00:04:42,350 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 2: zero visibility. Imagine just trying to dive through the water 98 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,020 Speaker 2: was as murky as chocolate waters with some of these 99 00:04:49,020 --> 00:04:51,570 Speaker 2: divers as described and then trying not to bang your 100 00:04:51,570 --> 00:04:54,710 Speaker 2: head against everything. And especially in these conditions, this could 101 00:04:54,710 --> 00:04:55,530 Speaker 2: have been fatal. 102 00:04:55,740 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: It certainly could. And the more you learn about it, 103 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,380 Speaker 1: the more insurmountable. The challenges seem to be. Now this 104 00:05:00,390 --> 00:05:03,660 Speaker 1: latest retelling of this story through this movie, 13 lives, 105 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:07,410 Speaker 1: that's just recently been released. I understand you attended the screening. 106 00:05:07,410 --> 00:05:09,589 Speaker 1: What was that? Like, how accurate was the movie, because 107 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:11,979 Speaker 1: we were there throughout this story and seeing it unfold 108 00:05:11,990 --> 00:05:13,890 Speaker 1: and then now to see it up on screen, you 109 00:05:13,890 --> 00:05:16,190 Speaker 1: must have been going through a checklist in your head 110 00:05:16,190 --> 00:05:18,870 Speaker 1: is like, yeah, that's true that happened. I'm not sure 111 00:05:18,870 --> 00:05:20,530 Speaker 1: about that one. Maybe they took some liberties. What do 112 00:05:20,529 --> 00:05:20,940 Speaker 1: you think? 113 00:05:21,390 --> 00:05:23,830 Speaker 2: I don't know how you feel about all these based 114 00:05:23,830 --> 00:05:26,250 Speaker 2: on a true story movies? I think as a journalist myself, 115 00:05:26,250 --> 00:05:30,060 Speaker 2: I'm already skeptical by nature and then having heard about 116 00:05:30,070 --> 00:05:32,349 Speaker 2: this movie being made and being a Hollywood movie on 117 00:05:32,350 --> 00:05:33,730 Speaker 2: top of that, I was just like, oh no, here 118 00:05:33,730 --> 00:05:36,419 Speaker 2: we go. It's going to be a sanitized version of 119 00:05:36,420 --> 00:05:39,260 Speaker 2: the cave rescue. So I was surprised. First of all, 120 00:05:39,260 --> 00:05:41,150 Speaker 2: that prime video actually is sent. 121 00:05:41,165 --> 00:05:43,945 Speaker 2: It's an invitation to the press screening. I went there, 122 00:05:43,945 --> 00:05:47,075 Speaker 2: watched the movie and to my relief, it was not 123 00:05:47,075 --> 00:05:49,475 Speaker 2: the sanitized version that I feared it would be. It 124 00:05:49,475 --> 00:05:52,005 Speaker 2: was actually pretty good in the sense that it was 125 00:05:52,005 --> 00:05:56,845 Speaker 2: pretty accurate and very factually close to reality. Of course 126 00:05:56,845 --> 00:06:00,135 Speaker 2: there are some changes here and there. But overall I 127 00:06:00,135 --> 00:06:00,935 Speaker 2: would say 128 00:06:01,089 --> 00:06:03,510 Speaker 2: it was as close as reality as you can also 129 00:06:03,510 --> 00:06:06,110 Speaker 2: make it entertaining and the fact on top of that, 130 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,860 Speaker 2: in this specific case, this has been covered by the 131 00:06:08,860 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 2: media almost at nauseam. There's not much leeway where you 132 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,140 Speaker 2: can really change the story so much. Anyway. We already 133 00:06:15,140 --> 00:06:17,860 Speaker 2: knew the broad strokes, right boys stuck in cave found 134 00:06:17,860 --> 00:06:21,250 Speaker 2: alive after nine days rescue divers and all brought out 135 00:06:21,250 --> 00:06:23,070 Speaker 2: of the cave and alive. So I don't think you 136 00:06:23,070 --> 00:06:24,390 Speaker 2: can change the ending on that 137 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,100 Speaker 1: you can't but the details of how it took place. 138 00:06:27,110 --> 00:06:28,750 Speaker 1: That's where the drama is going 139 00:06:28,775 --> 00:06:30,984 Speaker 1: be focused on and there's one element of the story 140 00:06:31,225 --> 00:06:33,325 Speaker 1: that was kept a little bit vague as to how 141 00:06:33,325 --> 00:06:36,285 Speaker 1: the boys were transported from where they were holed up 142 00:06:36,285 --> 00:06:38,725 Speaker 1: in the cave and safe to actually getting out. Because 143 00:06:38,725 --> 00:06:41,225 Speaker 1: as you said, some of the pathways that the divers 144 00:06:41,225 --> 00:06:43,155 Speaker 1: had to go through, they would have to take off 145 00:06:43,165 --> 00:06:46,005 Speaker 1: their air supply packs and push them through and through themselves. 146 00:06:46,165 --> 00:06:48,005 Speaker 1: And these are expert divers that have been doing this 147 00:06:48,005 --> 00:06:49,995 Speaker 1: for years and years and years. How did they physically 148 00:06:49,995 --> 00:06:52,745 Speaker 1: get those boys that had never done any scuba diving 149 00:06:52,745 --> 00:06:55,815 Speaker 1: in their life through all these complex tunnels and out 150 00:06:55,815 --> 00:06:56,375 Speaker 1: to safety? 151 00:06:57,740 --> 00:06:59,140 Speaker 2: I think this is one of the strengths of the 152 00:06:59,140 --> 00:07:02,090 Speaker 2: movie and not only being factually correct, but also showing 153 00:07:02,089 --> 00:07:06,510 Speaker 2: how difficult everything was, not only showing how treacherous the 154 00:07:06,510 --> 00:07:11,150 Speaker 2: conditions were, but also showing how it was all done 155 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:14,110 Speaker 2: information that we were actually not privy to during our 156 00:07:14,110 --> 00:07:15,340 Speaker 2: coverage of the cave rescue. 157 00:07:15,350 --> 00:07:17,100 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is the bit I'm talking about, this is 158 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:17,930 Speaker 1: the crux of it, right? 159 00:07:17,940 --> 00:07:19,980 Speaker 2: The main point is that in order to get the 160 00:07:19,980 --> 00:07:22,450 Speaker 2: kids out, we were told initially, are they going 161 00:07:22,465 --> 00:07:24,425 Speaker 2: To take a crash course and scuba diving to get 162 00:07:24,425 --> 00:07:26,655 Speaker 2: them out? No, that would be ridiculous. So what actually 163 00:07:26,655 --> 00:07:29,595 Speaker 2: happened was the 12 boys and their football coach were 164 00:07:29,605 --> 00:07:33,835 Speaker 2: heavily sedated and then carefully brought out of the cave. 165 00:07:33,835 --> 00:07:35,745 Speaker 2: So that was something that is being shown in the 166 00:07:35,745 --> 00:07:38,995 Speaker 2: movie and it was later revealed in real life but 167 00:07:39,005 --> 00:07:42,075 Speaker 2: it wasn't told to us during the rescue itself. 168 00:07:42,085 --> 00:07:44,985 Speaker 1: Yeah, that was the big revelation and that's the most interesting, 169 00:07:44,985 --> 00:07:47,185 Speaker 1: most compelling part that I want to see from this movie. 170 00:07:47,410 --> 00:07:49,970 Speaker 2: Yeah. But also overall what I liked about the movie 171 00:07:49,970 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 2: was how it would try to be as authentic as possible. 172 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 2: Don't forget this movie was mostly shot in Australia, not 173 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,570 Speaker 2: in Thailand Thanks to tax rebates and whatever 174 00:07:59,330 --> 00:08:00,290 Speaker 1: Hollywood, 175 00:08:00,490 --> 00:08:03,679 Speaker 2: Hollywood, Hollywood, it's always about money but nevertheless it was 176 00:08:03,690 --> 00:08:07,490 Speaker 2: a very authentic thai experience because the thai cast playing 177 00:08:07,490 --> 00:08:09,820 Speaker 2: the parents, they spoke in the northern dialect as is 178 00:08:09,820 --> 00:08:13,110 Speaker 2: true to life all the little details were also as 179 00:08:13,110 --> 00:08:16,740 Speaker 2: close as possible bottles of water. They were the correct brands, 180 00:08:16,740 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 2: the press badges were correct. The whole vibe of the 181 00:08:20,890 --> 00:08:24,150 Speaker 2: media tent city in the mud where we were stuck 182 00:08:24,150 --> 00:08:26,870 Speaker 2: for two weeks, it was pretty much bang on and 183 00:08:26,870 --> 00:08:28,460 Speaker 2: I think it also helps to 184 00:08:28,485 --> 00:08:30,715 Speaker 2: really bring the experience to viewers there. 185 00:08:30,745 --> 00:08:32,995 Speaker 1: Ron Howard was quoted as saying that he wanted to 186 00:08:32,995 --> 00:08:37,155 Speaker 1: pay close attention to the cultural intricacies of northern Thailand 187 00:08:37,155 --> 00:08:38,925 Speaker 1: and make it as accurate as possible and he had 188 00:08:38,934 --> 00:08:41,125 Speaker 1: one of the actresses on board helping with that. 189 00:08:41,315 --> 00:08:43,685 Speaker 2: Indeed one of the actresses playing one of the mothers 190 00:08:43,684 --> 00:08:46,165 Speaker 2: of the boys, she is actually from the north of 191 00:08:46,165 --> 00:08:48,985 Speaker 2: Thailand so she was a dialect coach to the other 192 00:08:48,985 --> 00:08:51,405 Speaker 2: thai actors helping them as well and also helped that 193 00:08:51,405 --> 00:08:54,415 Speaker 2: he had 300 thai extras on set as well. So 194 00:08:54,425 --> 00:08:56,085 Speaker 2: even though it was shot in Australia, we kind of 195 00:08:56,085 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 2: felt almost like in front of the cave, 196 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,010 Speaker 2: we're just seeing pictures 197 00:09:01,010 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 1: of the ambulances that are taking the voice that have 198 00:09:03,730 --> 00:09:05,920 Speaker 1: been taken out of the cave today on their way. 199 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:08,780 Speaker 2: All 13 wild boars are out. 200 00:09:09,540 --> 00:09:12,179 Speaker 1: This story as we mentioned has played out people watched 201 00:09:12,179 --> 00:09:15,060 Speaker 1: it live, they would have seen documentaries of its DNA 202 00:09:15,059 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 1: did documentaries on it, you know, one year after and 203 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,230 Speaker 1: things like that that you've been heavily involved in. How 204 00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:21,510 Speaker 1: would you say this version compares? I know it's a 205 00:09:21,510 --> 00:09:24,060 Speaker 1: big Hollywood movie with the big blockbuster budget for it 206 00:09:24,059 --> 00:09:26,660 Speaker 1: as well. And all the big names. There are actually 207 00:09:26,660 --> 00:09:29,449 Speaker 1: earlier versions as a film in 2019. There's a netflix 208 00:09:29,450 --> 00:09:32,230 Speaker 1: series coming out soon as well. How does this one 209 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:32,900 Speaker 1: rank up? 210 00:09:32,910 --> 00:09:35,010 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, yes, you just mentioned, there's a 211 00:09:35,010 --> 00:09:35,790 Speaker 2: plethora of 212 00:09:35,813 --> 00:09:40,193 Speaker 2: different adaptations and retellings, fictional and nonfictional. As you mentioned, 213 00:09:40,193 --> 00:09:43,263 Speaker 2: we had the 2019 movie, the cave which is an 214 00:09:43,263 --> 00:09:46,992 Speaker 2: independent movie by entire irish director called Tom Waller. That 215 00:09:46,993 --> 00:09:50,933 Speaker 2: movie was shot in the actual Tamron cave partially and 216 00:09:50,933 --> 00:09:54,043 Speaker 2: had some of the rescue divers actually taking part in 217 00:09:54,043 --> 00:09:57,843 Speaker 2: the movie playing themselves. So that is already pretty much authentic. 218 00:09:57,852 --> 00:10:00,333 Speaker 2: Then there's the netflix series that is going to come 219 00:10:00,333 --> 00:10:02,063 Speaker 2: out in september this one 220 00:10:02,086 --> 00:10:05,966 Speaker 2: is boasting itself that it has signed an exclusive deal 221 00:10:05,966 --> 00:10:08,756 Speaker 2: with the boys themselves, so that's why the series is 222 00:10:08,756 --> 00:10:11,155 Speaker 2: going to focus on the ordeal of the boys in 223 00:10:11,155 --> 00:10:14,126 Speaker 2: the cave itself. We don't know how this is going 224 00:10:14,126 --> 00:10:16,206 Speaker 2: to pan out, but I don't want to rank all 225 00:10:16,206 --> 00:10:18,286 Speaker 2: of these things, I think they all complement each other 226 00:10:18,285 --> 00:10:19,295 Speaker 2: in some way or form. 227 00:10:19,346 --> 00:10:21,786 Speaker 1: Alright, stay right there, socks it and do stay tuned 228 00:10:21,785 --> 00:10:24,446 Speaker 1: to you listening because you're going to learn what happened 229 00:10:24,446 --> 00:10:27,565 Speaker 1: to the wild boars after their dramatic rescue and where 230 00:10:27,566 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: they are now. 231 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:38,700 Speaker 1: Hi, my name is julie you and I'm the host 232 00:10:38,710 --> 00:10:42,610 Speaker 1: of the new season of the climate conversations from chefs 233 00:10:42,620 --> 00:10:46,060 Speaker 1: to scientists join me as we get personal with the 234 00:10:46,059 --> 00:10:50,290 Speaker 1: people driving change and sustainability. Look out for our episodes 235 00:10:50,290 --> 00:10:52,189 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts 236 00:11:01,630 --> 00:11:06,450 Speaker 1: from playing football with Zlatan Ibrahimovic coach boss, 237 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:11,170 Speaker 1: they're gonna play with us now because we need all 238 00:11:11,170 --> 00:11:12,410 Speaker 1: the help we can get 239 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:18,510 Speaker 1: to meeting Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. Got some very 240 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:22,470 Speaker 1: special visitors, the wild boars and being invited on the 241 00:11:22,470 --> 00:11:24,890 Speaker 1: talk show Ellen for the first time on tv. Please 242 00:11:24,890 --> 00:11:27,370 Speaker 1: welcome the coach and the 12 players from the wild 243 00:11:27,370 --> 00:11:28,339 Speaker 1: boars soccer team. 244 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:32,489 Speaker 1: I've certainly changed for the wild boars boys and their 245 00:11:32,490 --> 00:11:34,100 Speaker 1: coach following their dramatic rescue. 246 00:11:35,290 --> 00:11:38,610 Speaker 1: You're with me Steve Lie and CNN's Thailand correspondents exercise some, 247 00:11:38,610 --> 00:11:42,370 Speaker 1: but the wild boars certainly got their 15 minutes of 248 00:11:42,370 --> 00:11:44,690 Speaker 1: fame following their dramatic rescue, didn't they? 249 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:47,070 Speaker 2: You have to keep in mind that these boys were 250 00:11:47,070 --> 00:11:49,430 Speaker 2: stuck in a cave for over two weeks and they 251 00:11:49,429 --> 00:11:52,090 Speaker 2: had no idea what was going on outside. Just to 252 00:11:52,090 --> 00:11:55,329 Speaker 2: give you a small anecdote, the way they picked the 253 00:11:55,330 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 2: boys in which all they would go out. The coach 254 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:01,569 Speaker 2: decided to pick the boys that were living the furthest 255 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:04,540 Speaker 2: away from the cave. 1st. The thought behind it was 256 00:12:04,550 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 2: so 257 00:12:04,929 --> 00:12:06,819 Speaker 2: that these guys, when they go out of the cave, 258 00:12:06,830 --> 00:12:09,470 Speaker 2: go home, tell their parents to prepare dinner. So that's 259 00:12:09,470 --> 00:12:11,270 Speaker 2: how the thought process was. They didn't know that there 260 00:12:11,270 --> 00:12:14,250 Speaker 2: were thousands of people outside of the cave, amounting this 261 00:12:14,260 --> 00:12:17,780 Speaker 2: insurmountable rescue operation and the whole world watching it. So 262 00:12:17,780 --> 00:12:20,750 Speaker 2: they think that must have been pretty disorienting for the 263 00:12:20,750 --> 00:12:23,620 Speaker 2: kids tend to come out and to be thrust into 264 00:12:23,620 --> 00:12:26,420 Speaker 2: the limelight. There was definitely, as you just mentioned, all 265 00:12:26,420 --> 00:12:30,070 Speaker 2: these opportunities that they had, but also all these media 266 00:12:30,070 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 2: duties that came along with that it couldn't have been 267 00:12:32,970 --> 00:12:34,570 Speaker 2: easy for the kids, 268 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,670 Speaker 1: certainly very difficult one for them to navigate and then 269 00:12:37,670 --> 00:12:40,369 Speaker 1: suddenly thrust onto the global stage and so many different 270 00:12:40,370 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 1: arenas as well. Invited to all sorts of different things. 271 00:12:43,620 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: As the story unfolded though, authorities were very keen for 272 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:50,270 Speaker 1: the media to leave the families of the boys alone. 273 00:12:50,345 --> 00:12:53,265 Speaker 1: There's just so much media interest and scrutiny over all 274 00:12:53,265 --> 00:12:56,185 Speaker 1: elements of this story. It was really quite something and 275 00:12:56,184 --> 00:12:58,755 Speaker 1: some media outlets did a better job of leaving people 276 00:12:58,755 --> 00:13:00,194 Speaker 1: alone than others, didn't they? 277 00:13:00,205 --> 00:13:02,184 Speaker 2: We were among them that did a better job than 278 00:13:02,195 --> 00:13:02,995 Speaker 2: others and 279 00:13:03,005 --> 00:13:05,584 Speaker 1: you don't have to name names. It's ok. 280 00:13:06,050 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 2: But this is the crucial thing before the cave rescue. Okay. 281 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:11,810 Speaker 2: We all understand that we have to give the parents 282 00:13:11,809 --> 00:13:14,290 Speaker 2: and the families some privacy and everything. And also after 283 00:13:14,290 --> 00:13:16,479 Speaker 2: the rescue, of course, when the boys were out of 284 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,490 Speaker 2: the cave and the families that then military government gave 285 00:13:19,490 --> 00:13:22,140 Speaker 2: us a stern warning that we all should keep them alone. 286 00:13:22,140 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 2: And most of the journalists and media that were based 287 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,500 Speaker 2: in Thailand, we all followed and heeded those calls. On 288 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 2: the other hand, there were other media outlets that didn't 289 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 2: hit those calls. However, what was strange about all these 290 00:13:33,415 --> 00:13:36,345 Speaker 2: things though, is that the government gave us this warning? 291 00:13:36,355 --> 00:13:40,245 Speaker 2: But at the same time, they granted exclusives to other broadcasters, 292 00:13:40,245 --> 00:13:44,965 Speaker 2: mostly american broadcasters. So we couldn't help but feel a 293 00:13:44,965 --> 00:13:48,655 Speaker 2: little bit deceased by the authorities in that regard. And 294 00:13:48,665 --> 00:13:51,375 Speaker 2: I think one of the thoughts that I had not 295 00:13:51,375 --> 00:13:53,415 Speaker 2: only watching this movie, but when I heard all the 296 00:13:53,415 --> 00:13:56,965 Speaker 2: news about all these adaptations and productions coming in, while 297 00:13:56,965 --> 00:14:00,635 Speaker 2: at the same time, they gave us a quasi gag order, 298 00:14:01,070 --> 00:14:03,849 Speaker 2: is this our story to tell or who actually gets 299 00:14:03,850 --> 00:14:06,820 Speaker 2: to tell the story? Is it only the highest bidder? 300 00:14:06,830 --> 00:14:09,809 Speaker 2: We here in Thailand do we actually get to tell 301 00:14:09,809 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 2: the story or is it going to be other people? 302 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: That's a very good question you raise, who has the 303 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:16,340 Speaker 1: right to this story. It's a story that's had so 304 00:14:16,340 --> 00:14:19,860 Speaker 1: much interest, which is why from different levels of budgets 305 00:14:19,860 --> 00:14:22,700 Speaker 1: that have been thrown at telling this story from documentaries 306 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:25,450 Speaker 1: to now feature film, it's just a story that has 307 00:14:25,450 --> 00:14:27,660 Speaker 1: gotten the attention of so many people and these boys, 308 00:14:27,670 --> 00:14:30,190 Speaker 1: as we said, thrust into the limelight, which begs the 309 00:14:30,190 --> 00:14:32,750 Speaker 1: question now that the limelight has dissipated or calm down 310 00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:34,450 Speaker 1: a bit, where are they now? Do we know that? 311 00:14:34,450 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: Do you know what happened to the coach that did 312 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:37,930 Speaker 1: such a remarkable job of looking at 313 00:14:37,946 --> 00:14:41,076 Speaker 1: after them and keeping them mentally strong and mentally capable 314 00:14:41,076 --> 00:14:43,796 Speaker 1: to deal with the drama that was involved. 315 00:14:43,806 --> 00:14:45,636 Speaker 2: I think we have to give a shout out to 316 00:14:45,636 --> 00:14:49,206 Speaker 2: coach who was an essential part of keeping these boys 317 00:14:49,206 --> 00:14:52,955 Speaker 2: safe and calm. He sacrificed a lot during this rescue, 318 00:14:52,966 --> 00:14:55,366 Speaker 2: for example, he was giving all the rations all the 319 00:14:55,366 --> 00:14:58,016 Speaker 2: food that they had on them, to the kids themselves. So, 320 00:14:58,026 --> 00:15:00,776 Speaker 2: of course, that took a toll on his health during 321 00:15:00,776 --> 00:15:03,186 Speaker 2: the rescue as well because he was the weakest almost 322 00:15:03,186 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: of all of. 323 00:15:04,032 --> 00:15:06,892 Speaker 2: But to your question where the boys are now, most 324 00:15:06,892 --> 00:15:09,632 Speaker 2: of them are almost young adults, many of them have 325 00:15:09,632 --> 00:15:13,192 Speaker 2: moved away from Maasai and Qinghai province to other places, 326 00:15:13,192 --> 00:15:16,472 Speaker 2: going to universities, most of them have become well normal 327 00:15:16,472 --> 00:15:19,262 Speaker 2: boys as much as you can now and coach himself. 328 00:15:19,262 --> 00:15:23,162 Speaker 2: He has split off and has founded his own football 329 00:15:23,162 --> 00:15:26,852 Speaker 2: team still in Maasai. So I think four years later 330 00:15:26,852 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 2: we can say that life for them has been 331 00:15:29,750 --> 00:15:33,020 Speaker 2: As normal as possible. Before we get to the last question. 332 00:15:33,020 --> 00:15:35,010 Speaker 2: One thing that I forgot to say is that I 333 00:15:35,010 --> 00:15:38,260 Speaker 2: think one thing that stuck out from 13 lives is 334 00:15:38,260 --> 00:15:38,670 Speaker 2: that 335 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:41,950 Speaker 2: this movie doesn't put the heroes on a pedestal. It 336 00:15:41,950 --> 00:15:46,300 Speaker 2: doesn't sanctify them. You are seeing these british cave divers 337 00:15:46,310 --> 00:15:49,710 Speaker 2: that have a touch of train spotting of them. They 338 00:15:49,710 --> 00:15:52,410 Speaker 2: are hobbyists. They are in their own words, a little 339 00:15:52,410 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 2: bit nuts. Well 340 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:54,700 Speaker 1: you have to be to be a cave diver. 341 00:15:55,260 --> 00:15:59,930 Speaker 2: But what I'm saying is that these are scruffy, middle aged, 342 00:15:59,940 --> 00:16:04,220 Speaker 2: not really glamorously looking men doing their job. And that 343 00:16:04,220 --> 00:16:07,070 Speaker 2: was really a clash not only in the movie, but 344 00:16:07,070 --> 00:16:11,350 Speaker 2: also in real life seeing the institutionalized bravado. This can 345 00:16:11,350 --> 00:16:14,580 Speaker 2: do attitude of the Navy seal divers who are in 346 00:16:14,580 --> 00:16:17,210 Speaker 2: their own right, very capable men, but not really 347 00:16:17,223 --> 00:16:20,203 Speaker 2: suited for this task to dive in the case themselves. 348 00:16:20,213 --> 00:16:22,513 Speaker 2: So that is something that this clash of cultures that 349 00:16:22,513 --> 00:16:26,113 Speaker 2: was really well shown. And also it was really well 350 00:16:26,113 --> 00:16:28,813 Speaker 2: shown that they put aside these animosities very quickly because 351 00:16:28,823 --> 00:16:31,873 Speaker 2: everybody knew what was at stake. And I think in 352 00:16:31,873 --> 00:16:35,163 Speaker 2: the end, what you just said before the full picture 353 00:16:35,173 --> 00:16:38,093 Speaker 2: is when you watch all of these things together, all 354 00:16:38,093 --> 00:16:39,350 Speaker 2: the movies, all the books, all 355 00:16:39,366 --> 00:16:42,340 Speaker 2: the documentaries, I think I said it on air half 356 00:16:42,340 --> 00:16:45,820 Speaker 2: the rescue as well, that people say an excuse to 357 00:16:45,820 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 2: media that we would only report about bad things or 358 00:16:48,490 --> 00:16:51,060 Speaker 2: when something has gone wrong. But I would also argue 359 00:16:51,060 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 2: that for us to report about good things, they have 360 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:56,590 Speaker 2: to be extraordinary. Good. And these are one of these 361 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:00,260 Speaker 2: extraordinary things that have happened. As I said this story 362 00:17:00,260 --> 00:17:01,510 Speaker 2: after all had a happy ending. 363 00:17:01,910 --> 00:17:05,050 Speaker 1: It certainly did a very happy ending indeed. And a 364 00:17:05,050 --> 00:17:07,330 Speaker 1: happy ending that is continuing to be told in so 365 00:17:07,330 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 1: many different ways across so many different platforms. And a 366 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,710 Speaker 1: story gets told about these dramatic events of ordinary people 367 00:17:12,710 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 1: have been thrust into extraordinary circumstances. A lot of the 368 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: storytelling comes through the eyes of journalists in movies as well. 369 00:17:19,890 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: Reporters on the ground, you'll hear the sound bite on 370 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:23,149 Speaker 1: the news things like that. 371 00:17:23,369 --> 00:17:26,060 Speaker 1: Was there a part for us in this movie? This 372 00:17:26,060 --> 00:17:27,820 Speaker 1: is what I'm asking you really. I mean there's the 373 00:17:27,820 --> 00:17:30,070 Speaker 1: news guy, the reporter on the Ground which is you 374 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,659 Speaker 1: surely there must have been a part and who's playing 375 00:17:32,660 --> 00:17:32,850 Speaker 1: us 376 00:17:32,859 --> 00:17:35,649 Speaker 2: steve. You could play yourself and I think nobody could 377 00:17:35,660 --> 00:17:37,070 Speaker 2: really you know, capture. 378 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: I want the Hollywood treatment sucks. If I want someone, 379 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:41,459 Speaker 1: you know like a known star to play me. Come on. 380 00:17:41,470 --> 00:17:42,510 Speaker 2: No, you already look like a million. 381 00:17:42,790 --> 00:17:44,709 Speaker 2: So that should be fine. I mean, I think I'm 382 00:17:44,710 --> 00:17:46,859 Speaker 2: more concerned about who's going to play me if it's 383 00:17:46,859 --> 00:17:49,610 Speaker 2: Hollywood they're gonna even change their ethnicity or maybe there 384 00:17:49,609 --> 00:17:52,230 Speaker 2: is a running gag amongst colleagues that we all said 385 00:17:52,230 --> 00:17:55,570 Speaker 2: that for this movie in particular. It should be Simeulue 386 00:17:55,580 --> 00:17:56,180 Speaker 1: from marvel. 387 00:17:56,590 --> 00:17:59,109 Speaker 2: He is right now the most famous asian actor in 388 00:17:59,109 --> 00:18:01,050 Speaker 2: Hollywood just put some glasses on him and he looks 389 00:18:01,050 --> 00:18:01,670 Speaker 2: like me. 390 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely absolutely love it. Thanks so much. It's been so 391 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,649 Speaker 1: great to catch up with you on this story, loved 392 00:18:08,650 --> 00:18:10,830 Speaker 1: your little nuggets and behind the scenes stories has been 393 00:18:10,869 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: really quite fascinating. I hope you've learned a lot about 394 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:16,630 Speaker 1: this fascinating story as well. Before we go success. Where 395 00:18:16,630 --> 00:18:19,340 Speaker 1: can our listeners find and follow you on social media 396 00:18:19,350 --> 00:18:23,130 Speaker 1: besides you know red carpets and invites to movie screenings. 397 00:18:23,140 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 1: Yeah 398 00:18:23,810 --> 00:18:25,890 Speaker 2: and also as seen on tv as well. You know 399 00:18:25,890 --> 00:18:28,609 Speaker 2: you can follow me on twitter at at C. N. A. 400 00:18:28,619 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 2: That is where I always report all the latest of 401 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:31,869 Speaker 2: course on. 402 00:18:32,609 --> 00:18:34,119 Speaker 1: That's right and if you want to get some behind 403 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:37,970 Speaker 1: the scenes stuff sacks underscore s on instagram. Thank you 404 00:18:37,970 --> 00:18:40,690 Speaker 1: as well for listening. The tv version CNN correspondent airs 405 00:18:40,690 --> 00:18:43,570 Speaker 1: on CNN every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Singapore, Hong kong 406 00:18:43,570 --> 00:18:46,810 Speaker 1: time you can also watch or listen to us whenever 407 00:18:46,810 --> 00:18:49,890 Speaker 1: or wherever you like on CNN dot asia do like 408 00:18:49,890 --> 00:18:52,030 Speaker 1: and subscribe to this podcast version if you're on a 409 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: different app. So we can take you behind the scenes 410 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,610 Speaker 1: and beyond the headlines with our correspondents our podcast team 411 00:18:57,609 --> 00:19:00,990 Speaker 1: is made up of daniel lee, Christina robert and me 412 00:19:01,010 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: steve 413 00:19:12,780 --> 00:19:15,500 Speaker 2: one thing about the cave that viewers might not remember 414 00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 2: or might not have seen is the muddy tent city 415 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 2: where all the press were you had pressed from all 416 00:19:20,290 --> 00:19:22,730 Speaker 2: over the world. But at one point and this is 417 00:19:22,730 --> 00:19:25,300 Speaker 2: a typical thai story because it's about food. You had 418 00:19:25,300 --> 00:19:28,270 Speaker 2: also thousands of volunteers, cooking food and really looking after 419 00:19:28,270 --> 00:19:32,300 Speaker 2: everybody and no complaints there. We were definitely well looked after, 420 00:19:32,310 --> 00:19:34,910 Speaker 2: but there was one night it was like 421 00:19:35,060 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 2: nine p.m. We were ready to pack up, we were 422 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:39,880 Speaker 2: ready to go back to our hotels, but suddenly you 423 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,170 Speaker 2: heard a motorcycle, like a very small scooter coming from 424 00:19:43,170 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 2: the distance, driving up to in front of the cave 425 00:19:45,850 --> 00:19:47,990 Speaker 2: to our intensity. It was like who's that? Who's still 426 00:19:47,990 --> 00:19:50,060 Speaker 2: coming at this hour? And then we saw it was 427 00:19:50,060 --> 00:19:51,379 Speaker 2: the pizza guy. 428 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,650 Speaker 2: Somebody actually ordered 25 pizzas 429 00:19:56,460 --> 00:19:56,550 Speaker 1: in 430 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:58,830 Speaker 2: the middle of nowhere in front of the cave. 431 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:00,100 Speaker 1: That is incredible. 432 00:20:00,150 --> 00:20:02,629 Speaker 2: That is incredible. But also that it just adds to 433 00:20:02,630 --> 00:20:05,360 Speaker 2: the bizarreness this whole story. 434 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,810 Speaker 1: Absolutely. You can just imagine two journalists out there, what 435 00:20:07,810 --> 00:20:10,369 Speaker 1: do you want pizza go for a pizza Alright