Thais watched with their hearts in their throats, and their fingers on the buttons of social media, as one by one the lost boys of the Wild Boar soccer academy emerged.

“Clearly since the end of June when it all started, everybody’s been riveted,” said Pichai Chuensuksawadi, former editor-in-chief of the Bangkok Post. “Everybody’s very grateful for the navy SEALs and the international support.”

Pichai said the country had been breathing collective sighs of relief during the ordeal: first when the team was found after 10 days, then each day since Sunday when the cave was evacuated.

The country is typically transfixed by the World Cup, but Pichai said even this seemed subdued compared to normal, with everyone’s attention on the twists and turns of the Tham Luang rescue.

In Chiang Rai, people gathered near the hospital and blew whistles and cheered in the most public outpouring of support for the team – and the thousands who helped in their rescue. Footage on Thai PBS showed residents coming out in small groups along the route to the hospital, with a larger gathering there.

In Bangkok, the rescue has been the subject on everyone’s lips, with residents following each twist and turn. A veteran Australian journalist with decades of experience in the region said the feeling on the street was “pretty happy” and subway journeys home had been lively as news was consistently breaking in the evening.

He said hunger for details had pushed the Thai media to great lengths in covering the rescue, with one outlet under investigation for flying a drone in military airspace and another not only intercepting but broadcasting army communications.

Prayer and heart emoji abound on Thai social media, along with pig emoji symbolising the 12 Wild Boar players and coach. The cry of the Thai Navy SEALs – "Hooyah!" – echoed through Twitter and Facebook and the world's media.

Former Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn, who led the rescue effort to its completion despite being reassigned halfway through, was also the subject of caricatures calling him an idol and saying he should "stand tall".

The loss of one former SEAL, volunteer Saman Gunan, has been keenly felt among Thais. Pichai said this was not only because it served to remind everyone how precarious the team's situation was, but because of their gratitude for those who risked their lives. “It was just an outpouring of grief for this guy.”

While there was celebration in Chiang Rai, Pichai said he didn’t expect anyone to take to the streets elsewhere in the country.

“Thais won’t do that,” he said. “There won’t be wild celebrations.”