The Thai cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped for 17 days has reopened to tourists. The cave complex is located in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.
A portion of the Tham Luang cave has been reopened for visitors by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The Department wants travellers to see the harsh conditions of the rescue operation.
According to Insider, the entrance of the cave will allow 30 people to enter at a time and a max capacity of 2,000 visitors per day. The Chiang Rai Public Relations Office stated that the cave is protected by a metal barrier for safety reasons.
Visitors will, however, be able to photograph the cave from the entrance which is about 30m away. According to Insider, the attraction will be divided into three main areas: a shrine, in honour of a mythical princess Jao Mae Nang Non, (legend has it she inhabits the cave), the mouth where the soccer team entered the cave and the exit point.
It took 17 days to rescue the team, known as the Wild Boars, and their coach. The world sat on tenterhooks as people hoped that the boys would make it out safely. Sadly Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Gunan died during the rescue operation.
‘None of us ever gave up. Once there’s hope you just keep going. I think what’s happened since is a good thing for the area, a good thing for the people. It’s brought a lot of hope,’ said James Fullerton, a freelance writer who covered the opening of the cave for the Gaurdian.
‘It’s brought a lot of hope’: Thai cave reopens after football team rescue. My @guardianworld report from this morning’s visit to Tham Luang cave. https://t.co/01lOFnHeyA pic.twitter.com/VwEOevO0HB
— Jamie Fullerton (@jamiefullerton1) November 1, 2019
Image: Instagram
