Despite the odds, the boys and their coach all made it out alive.
Adul Sam-on, one of the footballers who shot to fame after he thanked the divers who found them in English, was granted Thai nationality following the rescue, as were his coach and two team-mates.
Speaking on Monday, the now-19-year-old said he had just graduated high school in the United States, and would shortly be attending university.
While there has been a steady stream of books, TV series, and film adaptations of the rescue, the boys themselves have mostly kept out of the limelight.
Mongkol Booneiam, known as Mark, said he still lives – and plays football – in a nearby village.
“If I have free time then I’d try to go play,” he said.