Thailand's Tham Luang Cave Reopens For Tourists

About 2,000 tourists visited Thailand’s Tham Luang cave after it reopened this year. The cave in Chiang Rai was shut after 12 Wild Boars footballers and their coach were trapped in the cave for 17 days during heavy flooding in July 2018.

The cave was officially opened after an inaugural ceremony and was flocked by many in order to be amongst the first ones to enter.  

Jongklai Worapongsathork, the deputy director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, led the ceremony, which was attended by monks, government officials and park rangers, as reported by the BBC.

Last year, the boys along with their coach entered the cave and were left stranded after heavy rainfall and flooding. The rescue operation took 17 days and involved 7,000 people, including 90 divers. According to Bangkok Post, the park in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai opened the first chamber, the cave entrance and the Nang Non spirit house for visitors from 8.30am to 4.30pm (local time). The park allowed only 20 people at a time to see the three spots which required a permit from the park.