The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the official opening date for Tham Luang Nang Non in Chiang Rai Province starting on 1 November 2019. The cave was opened for one day previously on 27 October 2019, everything went smoothly as planned.
This is the first time visitors will be able to enter the cave since the Tham Luang Cave Rescue. Visitors were only allowed to see the entrance of the cave but none were permitted to go exploring inside. Kawee Prasompol the head of the Tham Luang Cave Team stated that on the 27 there was a test group of tourists who were allowed inside the first part of the cave.
Visitors were divided into small groups of 25 to 30 people. 3 groups were allowed in per time, the next 3 groups get to go in only when the previous 3 groups return outside to the entrance of the cave. All the visitors were happy with the method of visitation and the process went through smoothly without any concerns.
The official opening date is set on the 1st of November this year where visitors can enter the cave from 9.00 to 16.30 every day of the week. Jongklai Worapongsatorn from the DNP is the special guest at the opening ceremony on the date.
After the rescue of the 13 boars football team took place there was a massive renovation to the Tham Luang Cave. All the rescue equipment has been removed from inside the cave. Safety rails and decorations have been placed inside to make sure that visitors will be able to explore the cave safely with enjoyment.
Even Though visitors are not allowed inside the cave yet, there are at least 1,000 visitors who come to see the cave per day. On holidays there can be up to 3,000 visitors. The number has risen since the start of Chiang Rai’s high season which is when the weather starts getting cold. On 26 October 2019, there were 7,259 visitors on such date alone.
The number is expected to rise even more after the cave welcomes visitors inside. Tourists are recommended to plan ahead as there will be heavy traffic on the way and a long line of people waiting to get in. Officers have to follow safety protocol and only 3 groups of 25 to 30 people will be allowed inside per time.
