Tham Luang Nang Non

"Tham Luang" redirects here. For other uses, see Tham Luang (disambiguation).

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, and Tham Yai is a karstic cave system in the Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, near the village of Pong Pha, in northern Thailand. It lies beneath Doi Nang Non, a mountain range on the border with Myanmar.

Tham Luang Nang Non
Tham Luang Tham Nam Cham Tham Yai
Cave entrance in 2018
Location	Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand
Coordinates	20°22′54″N 99°52′06″E
Depth	85 metres (279 ft)
Length	10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi)
Elevation	446 metres (1,463 ft)
Geology	Karst cave
Hazards	Monsoon flooding
Access	Tours available (November – April)
Lighting	None (before the rescue operation)

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 23 June. A rescue effort succeeded in bringing them out safely by 10 July. Two Thai rescue divers died as a result of the rescue. The cave changed from being just a local place to a spot where tourists from many countries come to see

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

Geography

Tham Luang Nang Non is a prominent cave system located in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Situated under the Doi Nang Non mountain range, this natural landmark forms part of the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The cave, which extends for approximately 10.3 kilometers (6.4 miles), is the fourth largest in Thailand and features a complex layout of twisting paths, narrow passages, and expansive chambers.

The entrance of the cave is at an altitude of 446 meters above sea level, while the mountain itself rises to a peak of 1,389 meters. The terrain of the cave system includes flooded tunnels, rocky elevations, and maze-like corridors, making navigation challenging. The cave is shaped by the interplay of granite and limestone formations, with the west side of the mountain prominently showcasing where these geological elements converge.

Above the cave, the Doi Nang Non mountain range, often shrouded in clouds, is rich with vegetation. Teak, Burma padauk, and bamboo trees line the streams flowing through the surrounding forest, creating a cool and shaded environment. The mountain's silhouette resembles a reclining woman, giving the cave its name, which translates to "the big cave and water source of the sleeping lady mountain."

Tham Luang is known for its striking rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and its distinctive water-formed features created by millennia of groundwater erosion. This natural wonder is both an ecological treasure and a testament to the region's complex karst landscape.

A visitor center outside the main entrance provides a detailed map of the cave, and there is a car park nearby. The first 1 kilometer (0.6 mi) of the cave is open to the public for guided tours between November and April. However, the cave floods during the rainy season and is closed to visitors during that time. This makes Tham Luang a popular destination during the dry season while preserving its natural state during the monsoon.

Climate

Tham Luang Nang Non is a seasonal cave system significantly impacted by the regional climate. The cave is open for exploration during the dry months, typically from November to April. However, the rainy season, starting in July, brings heavy monsoon rains that make the cave unsafe for visitors.

During this period, rainwater from the Doi Nang Non mountain range floods the cave system, with water levels rising up to 5 meters in some areas. This influx of water fills the interconnected tunnels and chambers, making navigation impossible. The saturated mountain channels water directly into the cave system, further contributing to the flooding.

To ensure safety, authorities close the cave during the rainy season. Visitors are advised to plan trips during the dry season when conditions are more stable.

Fauna

Tham Luang Nang Non is home to a delicate ecosystem that includes numerous endemic species, many of which cannot be found elsewhere. The cave's unique environment supports diverse fauna, including various bats, invertebrates, and fish that thrive in its permanent streams. Environmentalists caution against drastic changes to the cave, as even minor disturbances can lead to irreversible damage and the potential extinction of these specialized species, highlighting the need for careful conservation efforts in this fragile habitat.

History

The cave system is situated beneath the Doi Nang Non-Mountain range, which translates to "Mountain of the Sleeping Lady." This name is derived from local legends that tell of a beautiful princess who fell in love with a commoner. According to one version of the tale, after fleeing from her father's wrath, she took refuge in the cave. Tragically, her lover was killed by soldiers sent by her father, leading her to take her own life. Her blood is said to have formed the Mae Sai River, while her body became the mountain itself. This legend has deep cultural significance for the local Tai Yai ethnic group and reflects their spiritual connection to the land and its natural features

1986 Protected Area

In 1986, a portion of the Doi Nang Non range was designated as Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non-Forest Park. This designation aimed to protect the unique karst landscape and its biodiversity while promoting sustainable tourism. Despite its natural beauty and ecological importance, the area remained relatively unknown to tourists until a significant event in 2018 brought it international attention.

2018 Cave Rescue

Main article: Tham Luang cave rescue

In 2018, twelve boys aged 11 to 16, all members of a junior association football team, and their 25-year-old male assistant coach were stranded in the cave for 18 days by a flood. They were rescued in a massive joint operation between the Thai government, the Thai military, and a group of international expert cave divers. British divers found them on a muddy ledge in darkness more than 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the entrance nine days into their ordeal. The effort to save their lives was a global operation watched around the world. In all, 90 divers – 50 of whom were foreigners – helped to extract the group. An ex-navy diver, Saman Kunan, died during the mission because he ran out of air, having placed air tanks along the route for the boys. Another diver and ex-Navy Seal, Beirut Pakbara, died the next year from a septic shock from an unspecified blood infection he contracted during the cave rescue.

Further reading

• Louis Deharveng; et al. (1988). Expeditions Thai 87 – 88 (PDF). Toulouse: Association Pyrénéenne de Spéléologie. ISBN 2-906273-02-3.
• John Robert Dunkley (1995). The Caves of Thailand. Sydney: Speleological Research Council. ISBN 0-9589253-9-9.
• Martin Ellis (2009). "Thailand's Top Twenty: A Guide to the Longest and Deepest Caves in Thailand". Shepton Mallet Caving Club Journal. 12: 140–232.
• Martin Ellis (2015). Thailand's Longest and Deepest Caves: A Caving Guide. pp. 10–12. ISBN 978-1-326-43857-9.
• Pindar Sidisunthorn; Simon Gardner; Dean Smart (2006). Caves of Northern Thailand. Bangkok: River Books. ISBN 9749863135.