The National Archives of Thailand, an agency under the Fine Arts Department of the Culture Ministry, has been instructed to collect and preserve records on the history-making search and rescue of the 12 young footballers and their coach trapped in Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.

Vira Rojpojchanarat, the Minister of Culture, said he had instructed the National Archives of Thailand to send its officials to record events and images of the search and rescue operation which has drawn worldwide attention.

The events have shown the royal grace of His Majesty the King and members of the royal family who have expressed concerns for the fate of the 13 trapped in Tham Luang cave of the Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non National Park, he said.

Moreover, what happened at Tham Luang has helped forge unity of the Thai people and drawn assistance from foreign teams, leading to a massive search by international forces, Mr Vira said.

The details of the operation will be comprehensively chronicled and put on record, starting from June 23 when the 12 footballers of the Moo Pa Academy team and the coach went into Tham Luang cave for an excursion until the whole operation is over. Local and international media coverage of the operation will also be recorded along with what the 13 will say after their rescue.