The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced that Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Chiang Rai province is ready to open the third chamber of Tham Luang cave to the general public, with guided tours, starting on 15 December 2023.

The tours will allow groups of ten to twelve visitors per round, including a guide, to penetrate through the third chamber of the cave, where the operation base was set up for the remarkable rescue of thirteen members of the “Wild Boars” Academy Mae Sai Football Team.

The Tham Luang cave captured global attention in July 2018, when twelve young football players and their coach were trapped by floodwaters for 17 days. The rescue mission was successful thanks to the support and assistance from around the world, involving over a hundred world-class experts, cave divers, rescuers, and doctors. The Tham Luang cave incident has also become a compelling case study in crisis management.

Previously, Chamber 3, about two kilometers from the cave's entrance, was exclusively accessible to researchers and experts. The upcoming tours will showcase a significant part of Thailand's history to the public while allowing visitors to appreciate the challenges and efforts of the high-profile rescue mission.