Back in 2018, the world watched on with bated breath and prayers of hope as an event unfolded that captivated global attention. For 17 days, the great search and rescue mission to find and free 13 Thais trapped deep inside the caves of Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non was broadcast to the world via live coverage and updates .
Eventually, 12 students of the “Wild Boars” football team and their assistant coach made it out alive, thanks to the tireless efforts of everyone involved. The real-life drama spawned countless films and documentaries based on this unforgettable mission.
However, Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue (ถ้ำหลวง: ภารกิจแห่งความหวัง) is the first production to present the drama as a limited series. Consisting of 6 episodes, the series starred the late young actor, Papangkorn “Beam” Lerkchaleampote, who played the role of “Coach Eak,” the only adult trapped in the cavern with his 12 students.
Dana Ledoux Miller and Michael Russell Gunn are Thai Cave Rescue’s showrunners, while Thailand’s very own Baz Poonpiriya co-directed the series with Kevin Tancharoen, a Thai- American director. To ensure realism, production took place at Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park and around Chiang Rai Province.
Despite being based on a true story, the production team also created fictional characters to offer viewers a clearer and more dimensional storyline. Two magnetic actresses were cast for these important roles: popular Thai sweetheart, Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund, played a hydraulic engineer named Kelly, while Manatsanun “Donut” Phanlerdwongsakul took the role of “Pim,” a park ranger.
The series recruited numerous local and international talents to play essential characters, including Nicholas Bell, Nicholas Farnell, Christopher Stollery, Rodger Corser, and Damon Herriman.
On Netflix, you can watch this emotional series about a mission to rescue 13 lives trapped inside Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non in Thai Cave Rescue.
Release Year: 2022
Length: 6 episodes (60 minutes for each)
Cast: Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote, Pratya Patong, Songpon Kantawong, Chakkapat Srisat, Thanawut Chetuku, Teeraphat Somkaew, Thanaphong Kanthawong, Thanapat Pungpumkaew, Apisit Yukam, Watcharaphol Poungsawan, Thapanot Huttaprasuk, Apisit Sangjan, Rataphumi Nakisatit, Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Manatsanun Panlertwongsakul, Arisara Wongchalee, Kasidet Detwong, Darina Boonchu, Varinotorn Yaroojjanont, Tanapol Chuksrida, Nicholas Bell, Surapol Poonpiriya, Nicholas Farrell, Christopher Stollery, Krit Trairatana, Urassaya Sperbund, Stephen Phillips, Damon Manns, Conor Merrigan Turner, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Tusrin Punpae, Winai Wiengyanhkul, Komron Jivachat, Rodger Corser, Damon Herriman
Genres: Family Watch Together TV, Teen TV Shows, TV Dramas, Thai TV Shows
