Tham Luang Nang Non

Tham Luang Nang Non
Tham Luang
Tham Nam Cham
Tham Yai
Cave entrance in 2018
LocationTham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand
Coordinates20°22′54″N 99°52′06″E / 20.38167°N 99.86833°E / 20.38167; 99.86833
Depth85 metres (279 ft)
Length10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi)
Elevation446 metres (1,463 ft)
GeologyKarst cave
HazardsMonsoon flooding
AccessTours available (November – April)
LightingNone (before the rescue operation)

Tham Luang Nang Non (Thai: ถ้ำหลวงนางนอน, lit.'Great Cave of the Sleeping Lady', RTGS: Tham Luang Nang Non, pronounced [tʰâm lǔaŋ nāːŋ nɔ̄ːn]), also known as Tham Luang or Tham Yai, is a karstic cave system in the Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, near the village of Ban Chong in Pong Pha subdistrict, in northern Thailand. It lies beneath Doi Nang Non, a mountain range on the border with Myanmar.

Initially just known to locals, Tham Luang Cave gained to international fame during a significant rescue mission on July 2, 2018. The cave was brought to international prominence when twelve members of a junior association football team and their assistant coach were found deep inside the cave. They had become trapped due to monsoonal flooding on June 23. A rescue effort succeeded in bringing them out safely by July 10. Two Thai rescue divers died as a result of the rescue.

Tham Luang is the fourth largest cave in Thailand, stretching through a series of winding halls, low ceilings, rock collapses, and deep recesses with stalactites, stalagmites, and reflective stone surfaces. It is open to guided tours from November to April, though many parts remain inaccessible.

External images
Map, from above, of the Tham Luang cave system, provided by BBC News
Map, side view, of the Tham Luang cave system, provided by Deutsche Welle