Thailand regional governor has disclosed that, all 12 boys and their football coach have been found alive after nine days missing in caves.

All 13 are safe, Narongsak Osottanakorn confirmed, speaking after a mammoth search operation in the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai.

They were discovered by naval special forces, he said.

The challenge now will be to extract the party safely, with rising water and mud impeding access.

Rescuers had hoped they would find safety on a mound in an underground chamber.

The group's plight gripped the country and led to an outpouring of support.

The boys aged 11 to 16 and their coach went to explore the caves on 23 June.