Not undergoing the Buddhist ordination is Adul Sam-on, 14, a stateless Christian from Myanmar.

The entrance of the 11 into monkhood represented a new beginning after an ordeal that brought together thousands of volunteers from around the world, and that thrust the young Thais into the international spotlight.

The 12 soccer players and their coach became trapped by rising water in the Tham Luang Cave on June 23. Two British divers found them in the complex 10 days later, sitting on a bank where they had survived off condensation from the cave walls. For the next week, a coalition of Thai Navy SEAL members, foreign military teams and volunteer cave divers banded together to guide them out. On July 10, the last of those trapped were rescued, and after 10 days under observation in a Chiang Rai hospital, they walked out as international celebrities.

“They realize their lives are not the same as before,” said Somsak Kanakham, the district chief of Mae Sai. “We are trying to do our best to guide them.”

Now they aim to show their appreciation through monkhood. In traditional Thai Buddhist culture, such an ordination can signify the repayment of a debt. For the boys, their time in the temple will honor Saman Gunan, a 38-year-old retired Thai Navy SEAL member who died while stocking air tanks along the underwater escape route. They will spend nine days praying and performing charity work in a Buddhist monastery.