One of the teen boys who survived a long saga trapped inside a flooded Thai cave has reportedly died in the United Kingdom.
One of the 13 footballers safely rescued in 2018 from the Nang Non Cave in Chiang Rai, Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, 17, had been residing in the United Kingdom. The cause of death was not announced.
Renowned football player Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang announced Duangphet’s death. His Zico Foundation had bestowed a scholarship onto Duangphet in August to study at a football academy in Britain.
Kiatisuk wrote that Duangthep had died but did not elaborate beyond saying it was an “accident.” The foundation said it would provide further information in the future.
Duangphet had been attending Brooke House College, an elite football academy in Leicestershire, England, a place with special significance to Thai football fans as it is home to Leicestershire FC, which is owned by the chairman of Thai duty free monopoly King Power.
During the cave saga in which he and his fellow football team and coach were trapped 18 days before being rescued, Duangphet was 13 at the time.
“I’m alright, just that the weather may be a little bit too cold, but don’t worry,” he wrote to his parents from inside the cave. “Don’t forget my birthday party.”
Duangphet later won an athletic scholarship to study at a school in Chiang Mai province before obtaining the scholarship to study in Britain.
“Today my dream came true,” he wrote on social media at the time. “I will be a football student in Britain. I am grateful to everyone that helped with the scholarship to study overseas. I promise I will study hard and do my best.”
