![](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/J3j2nt2omDfLFD9wa0BtgTrIyO0=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fcf-images.ap-southeast-2.prod.boltdns.net%2Fv1%2Fstatic%2F664969388001%2F7727ffba-2855-4e8a-83f4-827cb77efaaf%2Fd8fbe592-ddc5-43e7-8251-d9d77f88ea5c%2F640x360%2Fmatch%2Fimage.jpg)
The Thai cave boys and their soccer coach whose amazing rescue captivated the world have made a bizarre appearance at a Bangkok shopping centre.
The government-organised “United as One” exhibition today saw the 12 ‘Wild Boars’ speak to members of the public - and featured a makeshift reproduction of the cave with simulated sounds of water dripping.
In one video of the event shared to social media, the boys were captured crawling through the confined tunnel.
Equipment used by rescuers and other items were also on show.
![The event at the Bangkok shopping centre saw the boys re-enact crawling through the caves.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/arPJZ1r1_8DDA8cM4_czfskiTPY=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F09%2F07%2F15%2F03%2F0709_thaicave.jpg)
They boys took to the stage stiffly to express their gratitude to King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, and all who helped in their rescue from the cave network in the Chiang Rai Province in July.
At least five of them said in more or less the same words at the Siam Paragon mall forum that "my life is the same, but more people are approaching me."
The boys earlier detailed much of their experience at a news conference after they were released from hospital observation following their rescue, and in interviews with the US television network ABC.
In their talk, moderated by Weerachon, they gave mostly short replies.
One of the boys namedAdul Sam-on acknowledged that the area where they were staying in the cave stank of urine - the matter of body excretions had been a subject of much chatter on social media.
![The boys at their appearance today.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/qS4XoeGp7gZ0_Jxp7Ep4aN-lQKM=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F09%2F07%2F15%2F03%2F0709_thaicave2.jpg)
A university band played popular tunes including "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "We Are the World" to a crowd that included uniformed US and Australian service members who assisted in the rescue mission.
The next leg of the tour for the boys, most of whom hope to become monks, is Bangkok's Grand Palace, a major tourism destination.
The string of public appearances comes despite a recommendation by psychologists that the boys be given a six-month respite after their rescue for the sake of their mental health.
But Thailand's military government, eager to share the glory of the good-news story, has trotted them out for public appearances and interviews.
Other efforts to promote their story have included construction of a museum, and the anointing as a national hero the former Thai navy SEAL who died while diving in the cave delivering oxygen tanks.
![The rescue of the boys and their coach between June and July captivated the world.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/0Dt_qYEi8-tDAvnoBIgYkr5tf6M=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F09%2F07%2F15%2F06%2F0709_THAI3.jpg)
The tour of the Wild Boars comes amid an ongoing feud between American tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and a British caving expert, Vernon Unsworth, whose advice and experience were considered crucial to the rescue operation.
Mr Unsworth had criticised a well-publicised effort by Musk, the CEO of Tesla, Inc., to lend a custom-built mini-submarine to the rescue effort, and Mr Musk responded on Twitter with comments implying that the Briton was a “pedophile.”
The matter was revived last week, when Mr Musk — asked about the threat of a libel suit — doubled down on his accusations, suggesting in emails to the news website BuzzFeed that Mr Unsworth was a "child rapist" and had moved to northern Thailand to take "a child bride who was about 12 years old at the time." He provided no evidence.
Mr Musk, whose seemingly erratic behavior on other matters has drawn concern from investors, also told BuzzFeed in coarse terms that he hoped Mr Unsworth sues him.
Mr Unsworth, who attended Thursday's gala reception, declined to comment on matters pertaining to Mr Musk.
With AAP