Experts had earlier said the 'rake thin' schoolboys may have to survive in the Thamg Luang cave network in the country's north until October when water levels subside at the end of monsoon season.
But with more rain forecast in the coming days, rescuers are now in a race against time to bring the young footballers to safety before levels rise again, with officials considering teaching the boys - none of whom can swim - how to dive.
Teams have been pumping 10,000 litres of water out of the caves every hour - but this is only enough to lower the level by one centimeter.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said the trapped youngsters, who were stranded for nine days before being found, may have to dive some sections themselves where tunnels are only wide enough for one person to pass through at a time.
'As rain is forecast in the next few days, the evacuation must speed up. Diving gear will be used. If the water rises, the task will be difficult. We must bring the kids out before then,' he said, according to the Bangkok Post.
'Diving is not easy. Those who have never done it will find it difficult, because there are narrow passages in the cave. They must be able to use diving gear. If the gear is lost at any moment, it can be dangerous to life.'
British volunteer divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton were among those who struggled through narrow passages and murky waters to search for the boys, who were found starving but unhurt on an elevated rock on Monday.
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