Three caves at Thung Salaeng Luang National Park in Phitsanulok province have been ordered closed out of fear that visitors would get lost and face danger similar to what happened to the 12 young footballers and their coach who are now being trapped in Thamluang cave in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, park director Thaksin Mongkolkomrat said on Thursday (June 28).
The three caves are Tham Phra Wang Daeng, Tham Duan-Dao Tham Pha Phon.
Mr Thaksin said it is necessary for the park to close the three caves since all of them are mostly dark with streams running through. They pose potential dangers similar to what happened to the young football players and their coach in Thamluang cave in the Thamluang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park in Chiang Rai.
Boonchana Khlongphukhieo, chaiman of Chomphu tambon administration organisation (TAO) in Phitsanulok’s Wang Thong district, said Tham Wang Daeng cave is 13.76 kilometres deep. The TAO prohibits people from going into this cave which is very with streams inside and rapidly flowing water in the rainy season.
He said there have been two cases of people getting lost inside Tham Wang Daeng cave. In the first case, a monk lost his way but was able to find a way out by himself. The second case happened four or five years ago when two novices got lost in Tham Wang Dang cave for three days and three nights before being rescued.
“Today we are here in front of the entrance of Tham Wang Daeng cave to make sure signposts warning people not to go inside the cave during the rainy season are still in place,” Mr Boonchana said.
Tham Phra Wang Daeng cave is famed for its beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.