A 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 2,000 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 first chamber of the cave complex.
Crowds queue to enter the Tham Luang cave. Source: CHIANG RAI PROVINCIAL PR OFFICE
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.
Crowds are seen queueing to enter the Tham Luang cave. Source: CHIANG RAI PROVINCIAL PR OFFICE
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 by diving through high floodwaters.
The cave had been closed to the public since then.
