Tham Luang cave set to welcome tourists to historic rescue site

The renowned Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, the site of the gripping Wild Boars football team rescue five years ago, is set to welcome tour groups to Chamber 3 on December 15. This initiative is led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Athapol Charoenchansa, Department’s Director-General, revealed that from December 15, small groups of 10 to 12 tourists will be allowed to venture into Chambers 2 and 3 of Tham Luang. This expedition will grant visitors the opportunity to witness the challenges faced during the rescue of the young football team and their coach.

The football team, comprising 12 young boys and their coach, were trapped within the cave by rising floodwaters for a gruelling 18 days in June and July of 2018. This incident not only drew local attention but also made international headlines, reported Bangkok Post.

The department plans to offer adventure trekking tour guide services to visitors. This interactive experience will allow them to understand the complexities of the rescue operation, including the setup of necessary equipment and the extraction of the victims from the cave.

Up until now, access to Chamber 3, situated approximately two kilometres from the cave’s entrance, was exclusively granted to researchers and experts. This move towards allowing public access is a significant milestone in sharing the story of the dramatic rescue with a wider audience.

In 2018, police chatter at the Tham Luang cave suggests that the first two team members have emerged from the cave mouth. The first at 5.40pm and the second one 10 minutes later. They walked out on their own feet. Their successful retrieval bodes well for the other 11 members.

The governor, acting as the official spokesperson, has not confirmed the first two successful rescues.

But the police band radio said that they were being escorted to a medical tent before an evacuation by helicopter. The group are being rescued in pairs. To read more click HERE