13 Jul 2018
Cave which trapped Thai schoolboys to become 'living museum'
BY Tom Anstey
The cave in which 12 Thai schoolboys and their football coach were trapped for 18 days is to be turned into a museum highlighting the bold rescue operation that saw them escape unharmed.
Trapped after heavy rains partially flooded the cave, an international rescue was launched when the group was found unharmed after 10 days missing. It would be a further eight days before all members of the group would be rescued, with retired Thai navy Seal diver, Saman Gunan, dying during the mission.
“This area will become a living museum, to show how the operation unfolded,” said Narongsak Osottanakorn, who headed up the rescue mission.
“An interactive database will be set up. It will become another major attraction for Thailand.”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has said that it plans to promote the site as a tourist attraction, while Hollywood producers have been quick to try and acquire the rights to a film adaptation of the real-life event.
Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha commented on the plans, saying that strict safety precautions would need to be taken – both inside and out of the caves – before any members of the public could be given access.
The cave will remain closed for the time being, according to Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. When it will reopen is still to be decided. With an expected increase in tourism to the area, the body is also planning to "revive" the adjacent National Park, where the rescue team set up camp during the operation.
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