Thailand to cash in as Tham Luang cave set to become major tourist attraction

[webfact]

Thailand to cash in as Tham Luang cave set to become major tourist attraction

 

Soldiers and rescue workers work in Tham Luang cave complex, as an ongoing search for members of an under-16 soccer team and their coach continues, in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 1, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

The Tham Luang cave which is at the centre of an international rescue mission to free 12 boys and their football coach who are trapped inside, is likely to become Thailand’s next major tourist attraction.

 

Earlier this week officials in Thailand already announced plans to promote Tham Luang cave to tourists.

 

On Tuesday, Jongklai Worapongsathorn from the Department of National Parks said the Tham Luang cave will undergo a period of rehabilitation to repair the damage caused by the rescue operation to free the boys.

 

It will then be developed into a tourist destination, Mr Jongklai, adding that the cave now has the potential to to attract tourists.

 

Plans to promote the cave as a tourist attraction were echoed by Thai PM Prayuth Chan-o-Cha in Facebook Live broadcast said the cave is now famous the world over and will eventually “become a tourist spot”.

 

However, the PM stressed the importance making sure safety measures are in place to accommodate the influx of tourists.

 

It is unclear if tourists will be allowed to enter the cave or how far they will be able to go.

 

The Tham Luang cave network made headlines around the world after the junior footballers aged between 11 and 16, along with their 25 year old coach got trapped inside on June 23.

 

While the group, all local to the area, had been inside the cave before, they became trapped inside when a heavy downpour of monsoon rain caused flooding.

 

A huge international rescue operation was launched to find the group who were trapped inside for almost 10 days before being discovered by two British divers on Monday night.

 

Rescue teams are now working on evacuating the boys from the cave who remain perched on a small island inside the cave that is surrounded by flood water.

 

Despite their ordeal, the boys remain in reasonably good health. They are currently being cared for by specialist doctors and personnel from the Thai Navy.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-07-05

[ratcatcher]

Thailand to cash in as Tham Luang cave set to become major tourist attraction

Come and spend time in our caves. Rescue guaranteed.

[LennyW]

Speechless!!

[Thailand]

Probably a good idea to get the boys before the tourists arrive. 

[Stoker58]

Silver lining.

[Julie H]

2 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Speechless!!

Why? Look around you everyone is trying to make $ from something. Why should this cave be any different? 

[Cadbury]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Plans to promote the cave as a tourist attraction were echoed by Thai PM Prayuth Chan-o-Cha in Facebook Live broadcast said the cave is now famous the world over and will eventually “become a tourist spot”.

Yours truly has to get in the act; that goes without saying. Of course he will probably claim it only became famous after he visited it.

[Darcula]

The first step should be setting up a go-go bar on Pattaya beach.

[janclaes47]

How about keeping the boys inside indefinitely, like an attraction?

[darksidedog]

Any opportunity to grab a dollar never gets missed does it? They had better hope they all come out OK then or it will be a morbid attraction, not a tourist one. I can't believe they are talking of tourism when the poor kids are still inside there.

[DM07]

...but OF COURSE they do!

?

[poohy]

Boys still trapped, from what i read no clear rescue plan   so it could still all go wrong! ( i sincerely hope not)

 

And above all they are planning a tourist attraction sadly so incredibly Thai! .....absolutely amazed 

[HooHaa]

its just plain funny.

[SneekyPete]

Exploitation at its ugliest timing.

[steve73]

It'll get even busier once the film is released, and they'll have to close it again...

[Vacuum]

17 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

How about keeping the boys inside indefinitely, like an attraction?

Now, there's an idea.

[roo860]

They could even flood the caves in the dry season with water pumps to give you that 'I'm trapped ' sensation.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[mahjongguy]

No matter how this story plays out, as a triumph or a tragedy, the only proper way to for the government to respond at the end would be a big box of dynamite set off just inside the entrance.

[smedly]

47 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

Any opportunity to grab a dollar never gets missed does it? They had better hope they all come out OK then or it will be a morbid attraction, not a tourist one. I can't believe they are talking of tourism when the poor kids are still inside there.

the mentality and stupidity in this country never ceases to shock me mate and today it has gone to a new level.

 

They very obviously still have no understanding of the dangers involved is some of these deep caves - they are not for tourists on any level

[smedly]

14 minutes ago, mahjongguy said:

No matter how this story plays out, as a triumph or a tragedy, the only proper way to for the government to respond at the end would be a big box of dynamite set off just inside the entrance.

absolutely 100% correct - best comment so far on this thread

[Eligius]

This is so disgusting - I can barely find words to express my revulsion at the crass insensitivity.

 

'Plans to promote the cave as a tourist attraction were echoed by Thai PM Prayuth Chan-o-Cha in Facebook'.

 

My God! What is wrong with these people?! Well - actually, they do not deserve the name 'people' at all. They are clearly not human.

Edited July 5, 2018 by Eligius

[PatOngo]

14 minutes ago, smedly said:

They very obviously still have no understanding of the dangers

Their highways are testament to that!

[300sd]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, the PM stressed the importance making sure safety measures are in place to accommodate the influx of tourists.

Safety measures and Thailand!

Oxymoron.

[Panda13]

Fun fact: 

Did you know that 50% of the people that you talk to everyday. are below average intelligence?

[DM07]

1 hour ago, poohy said:

Boys still trapped, from what i read no clear rescue plan   so it could still all go wrong! ( i sincerely hope not)

 

And above all they are planning a tourist attraction sadly so incredibly Thai! .....absolutely amazed 

Oh don't worry: if it goes wrong, it will also be turned into a tourist attraction.

With a slightly morbid touch to it!

(Before someone goes off on me: no, I don't hope that it goes wrong, I don't wish, I don't want...I hope, it will all be fine and the guys get out alive and well!)

[canuckamuck]

46 minutes ago, Panda13 said:

Fun fact: 

Did you know that 50% of the people that you talk to everyday. are below average intelligence?

You overestimate the company I keep.

[Sir Dude]

Little bit cynical...but hey, what do expect with TAT.

[habanero]

When does the movie come out?

[overherebc]

Chinese tourists only in the rainy season.

[fakename]

Why not have wax models  of the kids, sitting on the high ground, that would really be something. Maybe sell the same rations they were given! Have a few farangs hanging around, with dive gear on! 

Oh, by the way, there was a truck and car accident this week too, that would be a great hit! Hey, while were at it, how about a frog with 25 watches, lots of things Thailand is famous for, lets not forget the beaches filled with trash.