The three stateless Wild Boars footballers and their coach have been granted Thai citizenship.

Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district chief Somsak Khanakham said he signed the approval of Thai citizenships for the three footballers, Adul Sam-on, Mongkol Boonpiam, Pornchai Kamluang and coach Aekkaphol Chanthawong today.

The four were among a group of 18 stateless people who were granted Thai citizenships today.

He said the three footballers and their coach attended an oath-taking ceremony to be good citizens and then issued with ID cards.

The four were children of immigrants who have settled on the Thai side of the border with Myanmar.

He clarified that the four stateless individuals had applied for Thai citizenships long before they were trapped in Tham Luang in Mae Sai district which led to the dramatic happy-ending rescue operation that captivated the world for over two weeks.