A big cleaning day has begun today at Tham Luang cave in the Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non National Park in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district which was the scene of a dramatic international rescue operation to save the 12 footballers and their coach trapped inside for 17 days.

Thousands of people who had earlier registered to take part in the cleaning started flocking to Tham Luang on Saturday.

Phayao Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn, who headed the rescue mission, said the cleaning will be carried out today and tomorrow at five locations.

The first spot is Tham Luang cave, where the rescue command headquarters was set up, and the road leading to the cave.

The other spots to also be cleaned are Pha Mi cliff, where many units went up to divert water from running into Tham Luang cave; Tham Sai Thong cave, where water pumps were installed to drain water out of the cave; Kiew Kho Nang, where authorities went up to divert water from running into Tham Luang; and, three temples in the vicinity of the national park which had been used as camping areas for volunteers and military personnel taking part in the rescue operation.

A religious rite will be held at the entrance of Tham Luang on Monday, starting at 8.30am.