The Thai Government plans to upgrade Tham Luang - Khun Nam Nang Non Park as a national park and world-class tourism attraction, with plans to construct a museum telling a story of the memorable rescue mission.

Rescuers worked on a plan to extract 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Chiang Rai province, Thailand, in summer 2018. (Photo: thenews.com.pk)

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Surasak Karnjanarat said the cabinet has appointed his agency to look after the development project for Tham Luang - Khun Nam Nang Nong area in Chiang Rai into a major tourism attraction, by working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Interior.

Following the successful rescue mission of the Wild Boar soccer players, the area has received some 4,000 visitors per day, requiring the upgrade to facilities and safety features to better serve more people.

The renovation of the area will emphasize on the story of the rescue mission, while the upgrade of the area into a national park has been well received by local villagers. The upgrade plan will require garbage management measures.

The cabinet has also approved the proposal from the Ministry of Culture to construct a museum in the area telling the story of the rescue mission, as well as construction plan for facilities such as parking space, retail space, and toilets.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said the ministry is working on the design of a cycling path in and around the area as a recreational and nature observation route, with the plan to use local materials combined with international construction designs.

(Source: NNT/VNA)