Netflix’s ‘Thai Cave Rescue’ Focuses on the Perspectives of the Boys and Coach

There are so many stories and reiterations of the Tham Luang cave rescue of the 12 boys and their football coach being released. From documentaries to dramatic films, the story of the heroic rescue has yet to be told through the eyes of the Thai people. In Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue, the limited series will touch on the untold perspectives of the boys at the center of the rescue.

Netflix and a team of Thai creatives obtained the exclusive rights from the young members of the Wild Boars football team and their experiences throughout their 18 days in the flooded cave.

Created by Michael Russell Gunn and Dana Ledoux Miller, the six-episode limited series is directed by Baz Poonpiriya and Kevin Tanchareon and executive produced by Jon M. Chu, Launch Johnson, John Penotti, and Tim Coddington. The series stars Papangkorn “Beam” Lerkchaleampote as Coach Eak, Thaneth “Ek” Warakulnukroh as Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn, and Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund and Manatsanun “Donut” Phanlerdwongsakul as Kelly and Pim — fictional representatives of the real-world hydraulic engineers and park rangers that made the incredible rescue possible. Supakorn “Tok” Kitsuwan also joins the cast as former Navy SEAL diver Saman “Ja Sam” Gunan, while Bloom Varin plays army doctor Colonel Bhak Loharjun. The 12 boys are also played by local Thai actors: Pratya “Tiger” Patong, Songpol “Pangpon” Kantawong, Chakkapat “Junior” Sisat, Thanawut “Bank” Chetuku, Teeraphat “Gun”‘ Somkaew, Thanaphong “Pluem” Kanthawong, Thanapat “Utha” Phungpumkaew, Aphisit “Fluke” Yookham, Watcharaphol “Kim” Puangsawan, Thapanot “Nam-Ning” Huttapasu, Apisit “Chit” Saengchan, and Rattaphoom “Fluke” Nakeesathid.

Filmed in Chiang Rai, Thailand — the location of Tham Luang, Thai Cave Rescue will focus on the perspective of the boys and their coach in the cage as well as the heroes like Sama Gunan, who lost his life during the rescue.

Tancharoen, who serves as director and executive producer, said in a press statement, “As a Thai American, I feel so incredibly fortunate to help tell this story through the lens and soul of the Thai people. I wanted to bring my experience of telling big superhero stories to the real world. One where real-life superheroes worked together for a common cause regardless of where they were from, and the only superpowers are the perseverance of the human spirit and what we can accomplish when we work together.”