Buddhist monk Phra Manas went into the Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave in Phitsanulok province in northern Thailand on Saturday to meditate.

However, heavy rain raised water levels inside the cave, blocking the entrance and stranding the 46-year-old on high ground.

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A local official said the monk makes a pilgrimage every April from another province to meditate in Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave.

But when he did not return after the rain, villagers alerted the authorities.

Seven divers went into the cave on Wednesday morning after the rain stopped.

The monk was fitted with a diving mask and was led to safety – with around 12 metres of that journey done under water.

The incident had some similarities to the 2018 ordeal of the members of the Wild Boars football team.

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They were trapped for more than two weeks inside a cave in Chiang Rai province, also in the north of Thailand.

Thai Navy Seals and an international team of cave divers and hundreds of helpers managed to rescue the 12 boys and their coach.