Netflix is to turn the real life rescue of the football team who became stuck in a Thai cave into a new mini-series.
The streaming giant secured the rights to adapt the story less than a year after the 12 boys and their coach were trapped in the flooded cave in the north of Thailand for more than two weeks.
Their rescue made headlines the world over in June last year as an operation involving 90 expert divers began.
Netflix’s Erika North said of the mini-series: “The story combines so many unique local and universal themes which connected people from all walks of life, from all around the world.
“Thailand is a very important market for Netflix and we are looking forward to bringing this inspiring local, but globally resonant story to life.”
The yet-untitled show is expected to be directed by Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu and Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya.
The assistant coach of the football club welcomed news of the series at a press conference in Bangkok at Tuesday.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to thank the people and organisations from Thailand and around the world who came together to perform a true miracle, by retelling our story,” he said.
“We look forward to working with all involved parties to ensure our story is told accurately, so that the world can recognise, once again, the heroes that made the rescue operation a success.”
After entering the cave, the boys – who were between 11 and 16 at the time, became trapped when the cave flooded, and they were stranded in the dark without food until they were discovered.
The conditions involved in their 17-day rescue were highly dangerous, with fast-moving shallow water passing through very narrow passages.
One Thai Navy diver, Saman Gunan, died during the rescue effort while delivering air tanks.