Long queues as Thai cave reopens 15 months after rescue

Bangkok: The Thai cave where a youth football team was trapped for days has been re-opened to visitors, 15 months after the dramatic rescue effort that made headlines around the world.

At least 2000 visitors queued to get access to the Tham Luang cave to gain access on Friday, the Bangkok Post quoted officials of the Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non National Park near Chiang Rai as saying.

Only 20 people at a time were admitted to the cave entrance and the first chamber of cave complex.

The first sighting of the 12 soccer players trapped in Thailand’s Tham Luang cave complex.Credit:AAP

The twelve boys aged 11 to 16 and their coach had visited the Tham Luang cave, Thailand's fourth-longest cave stretching over 10 kilometres, on June 23, 2018.

They were trapped inside for more than two weeks after a flash flood blocked their only exit, leading to Thailand's biggest-ever rescue operation that involved thousands of people from many countries, including Australia.

Cave divers Jim Warny, centre, and Erik Brown, left, play themselves in The Cave, the first film to document the extraordinary rescue of the Thai boys soccer team from Tham Luang cave in July 2018. Credit:De Warrenne Pictures

The 19-day search and rescue mission gained worldwide attention through many dramatic twists; from finding all members safe and sound after over a week without food, to a death of a rescuer, and finally a safe rescue helped by Australians Richard Harris and Craig Challen that involved diving through high floodwaters.

The cave had been closed to the public since then.

DPA

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