Bangkok – Members of the committee responsible for films and videos in Thailand have agreed to promote the production of a film telling the story of the Tham Luang search and rescue operation, after five world leading movie studios showed interest in making a screen adaptation of the epic mission.
The film board has also resolved to propose to the cabinet next week the establishment of a national committee to ensure that the movie will accurately retell the events that occurred in the cave, without violating the human rights of those being featured in it. The committee would also look after the privacy of the 13 youths rescued and related individuals, as well as protect the image of the Kingdom.
According to Minister of Culture Weera Rojpojanarat, the committee has agreed that the story of the 12 boy footballers and their coach should also be told in documentary and short film forms. He stressed that there is no need for filmmakers to add more dramatic moments in the film, saying the story is fine as it is. Nonetheless, he is confident that movie studios won’t distort the details of the event, as it has become a well-known story worldwide.
The Ministry has tasked members of the staff of the National Archive to record a full account of the mission, which filmmakers can refer to.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thanya Nethithammakul has indicated that the search and rescue mission inside Tham Luang cave is a valuable lesson for all related officials. He said his agency is stepping up safety measures in the venues under the care of his department. Director-General Thanya said from now on all tourists going inside a cave must register their names and security guards will be stationed at caves around the clock to provide assistance. He indicated that there will be other measures to prevent a similar event from occurring in the case where deploying 24-hour security guards is not viable.
Furthermore, Thanya said tourists will be informed about what to do and what not to do inside a cave, while adding that warning signs will also be erected in various dangerous spots.
He also said that his department is working with the Meteorological Department to determine a schedule for closure of the cave to ensure the safety of tourists during the rainy season. Previously the officials had set the closing period from the beginning of July to the end of August.
