Having visited the Golden Triangle earlier in the day, it was time to head off to Tham Luang Cave, the ‘Sleeping Lady Cave’, the cave from where those school children and their coach were rescued in July 2018, as detailed here.
Arriving at the Thamluang Khunnam Nangnon National Park in Chiang Rai, on Google Maps here, you are greeted by a security guard who will direct you to the parking area which is about 500 meters from the entrance to the cave. You can either walk to the cave or take the free shuttle bus that runs between the parking area and the cave.
On the day that I visited it was raining quite heavily, enough for me to justify taking the shuttle bus to the cave. After a few minutes we arrived at the bus stop close to the entrance to the cave. Here you can read about the history of the Thamluang Khunnam Nangnon National Park on a small sign, before you take the stairs to the entrance to the cave.
When I arrived to the cave, I was the only tourist on site. I wandered around the entrance, taking photos of the bicycles of the school children that remain at the entrance to the cave. You will also see the remains of some of the rescue equipment used in the operation, as well as three soccer jerseys of the school children who were rescued.
Wandering down the stairs into the cave, which you can do without a guide, you will reach the floor of the cave. From there you can wander to the right and see the entrance to the cave, but you are unable to go any further.
Immediately in front of you, across the floor of the case, is a staircase leading up to a dead-end. Climb the 40 or so stairs to get a great view of the whole cave, admiring along the way the small statue placed in memory of the school children and their coach who were rescued from the cave.
Once you are back on the floor of the cave, follow the path that leads to the back of the cave. I was alone during this time and, to be quite honest, it was a little freaky to be exploring the cave by myself. The flat path and stairs lead to the back of the cave, as far as you can go as a tourist. Here you will find signs explaining the rescue operation as well as seeing the table and chairs that remain, from which the rescue operation in the cave was coordinated. You will also see the pipes that remain from the rescue operation, ones used to pump water from the cave as the rescue operation was underway.
Once you have finished your visit to the cave and headed back into the sunlight, follow the stairs to the right that lead to the Tham Luang Cave Rescue Operation Exhibition Hall. First, visit the exhibit in the small grey cave, constructed to highlight the rescue operation. Head then to the exhibition room where you can learn more about the rescue operation and the people involved.
You can visit the cave and the Exhibition Hall for no charge. However, take a few small bank notes with you so that you can tip the security guards at the parking lot, as well as the drivers of the shuttle bus that take you from the parking area to the cave.
Further information about the Tham Luang Cave rescue operation may be found here. The video from when the school children and their coach were first found may be found on YouTube here. A video by National Geographic, entitled ‘Drains the Oceans’, may be found on YouTube here. Other videos may be found on YouTube here.
I trust that you will enjoy your visit to Tham Luang Cave and learn more about the incredible rescue operation that saved the lives of 13 people, as well as admiring the natural beauty of the cave itself.
You can find directions to Thamg Luang Cave on Google Maps by clicking here.
During my visit to Chiang Rai, I stayed at the lovely Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. You are welcome to start your planning by clicking here. Otherwise consider one of the accommodation options in Chiang Rai by clicking in the box below with booking.com or with Agoda here.
Booking.comOur other posts on Thailand may be found here.
(Visited June 2024)