The Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province, the scene of a much-publicised international rescue mission last July, will close to all visitors from February 19 in order to allow Thai Navy SEALs to enter and recover equipment left inside.

The water pumps failed, and Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong heard shouts of alarm as the final stage of an unprecedented operation to rescue 12 Thai boys and their coach from a flooded cave almost tipped into disaster.