Should the huge cave remain open to tourists?

WITH the whole world rejoicing with Thailand after 12 young soccer players and their coach were found at the huge Tham Luang cave in northern Chiang Rai province, the question that now arises is whether it should continue to remain open for visitors in the dry season, Sanook!Travel columnist Peeranut P. wrote today (July 4, 2018).

Where tourism is concerned Tham Luang, which is part of Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Mae Sai district, is a priceless natural treasure particularly for those who appreciate the greatness of nature.

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND - JUNE 28: Rescuers install a water pump inside Tham Luang Nang Non cave on June 28, 2018 in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Rescuers battle heavy rain in northern Thailand as they continued the search for 12 boys and their soccer coach who have been missing in Tham Luang Nang Non cave since Saturday night after monsoon rains blocked the main entrance. Teams of Navy SEAL divers worked their way through submerged passageways in the sprawling underground caverns as senior Thai government officials warned on Wednesday that time is running out and the search intensifies for the young soccer team, aged between 11 to 16, and their their 25-year-old coach, with soldiers and park rangers seeking other entry points into the cave system. (Photo by Linh Pham/Getty Images)

Records show that this cave has the 4th largest limestone rock in the country, being all of 10,316 meters long. Within are beautiful reflective rocks, glistening stalagmites and stalactites as well as grottoes and creeks. It is geographically a strange looking place.

The global spotlight on this cave is an opportunity to put it to use for tourism rather than closing it and letting it turn into a legend.

However if tourism is to be permitted it has to be well arranged to ensure safety; particularly that the number of officials be increased so that it can truly be a natural heritage.

This cave is normally only open during the dry season from November to April, and shut during the dangerous rainy months. Tourists can ask for permission to go in on their own or ask the officials to arrange local residents to be their guide.

Rescue personnel are seen at the opening of the Tham Luang cave in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Chiang Rai on June 27, 2018 while operation continue for a missing children's football team and their coach. - The desperate search for 12 children and their football coach trapped since June 23 in a flooded cave in northern Thailand pressed on as distraught relatives prayed and awaited news about the missing youngsters. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo credit should read LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)

However it is important that in keeping it open for tourists concrete management and strict regulations be put in place.

For example there should be signs warning tourists that the cave is very dangerous during the rainy season because it gets flooded. Or perhaps a checkpoint could be set up to stop people from sneaking in, and better still a fence or ropes be put across the entrance to stop them from entering during the rainy months.

Even during the dry months when it is open to visitors, more lights are needed in the passages and restriction placed on how deep tourists could go in.

It might be a good idea to only allow tourists accompanied by an expert to go in.

It is clear that with good management this cave can be an interesting tourist attraction which would draw income and development to people in this area.

CAPTIONS:

Top: The rescue operation underway at Tham Luang to bring out the 12 trapped boys and their soccer coach. Photos: Sanook.com

First in-text: Rescuers install a water pump inside Tham Luang  on June 28, 2018 . Photo: Linh Pham/Getty Images via Sanook.com

Second in-text: Rescue personnel are seen at the opening of the Tham Luang cave in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Chiang Rai on June 27, 2018. Photo: Lilian Suwanrampha/ AFP/ Getty  Images via Sanook.com

Below: Thai Air Force officers walk through the football field used by the missing football team near Tham Luang cave on July 1, 2018. Photo: Lilian Suwanrampha/ AFP/ Getty  Images via Sanook.com

Thai airforce soldiers walk through the football field used by the missing football team near Tham Luang cave, at the Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Chiang Rai province on July 1, 2018 as the rescue operation continues for a missing children's football team and their coach. - Twelve Thai boys and their assistant football coach spent their eighth night trapped in a flooded cave, as a round-the-clock search was aided by better weather. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) (Photo credit should read LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images)

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