More than 7,000 people, including about 3,400 from Chiang Rai province alone, have accepted invitations to attend the reception to be hosted by the government on the courtyard of Dusit Palace and at the Royal Plaza on Thursday to thank all those who took part or contributed to the search and rescue operation that saved the lives of the young 12 soccer players and their coach trapped in Tham Luang cave during June-July.

His Majesty the King has graciously allowed the use of the courtyard of the Dusit Palace by the government to host the reception, which is offically known as “United As One.”

Pol Lt-Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, commissioner of strategic affairs of the Royal Thai Police, said the reception venue is divided into two zones – one on the courtyard of the palace and the other at the Royal Plaza.

Parking space has been arranged at Sanam Luang and the Supreme Court and Thammasat University.

About 3,400 people from Chiang Rai province, including about 2,000 from Mae Sai district where Tham Luang cave is located, will leave the northern province by bus on Wednesday night and are scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at about 2 pm on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Chiang Rai’s creative media committee has arranged for two rounds of interviews with the 12 Wild Boars boys and their coach for local and foreign media on Thursday between 1-3 pm at Siam Paragon and on September 15-16 in Chiang Rai.

Media representatives are required to submit written questions in advance to the screening committee by 4 pm of Wednesday.