Mystery over death of boy who survived 18 days in Thai cave & died on floor of his UK dorm after being found unconscious
A BOY who was rescued in a flooded Thailand cave after 18 days has died after being found unconscious in his UK dormitory.
Duangphet Promthep, 17, was among the 12 lads who were trapped in the flooded cave for 18 days in 2018.
His cause of death remains a mystery, though reports say Duangphet, nicknamed “Dom”, sustained a head injury.
Dom was discovered unresponsive on his dormitory floor at Brooke House College in Leicester.
East Midlands Ambulance Service said they received a call at 12:48pm on Sunday about a medical emergency on the college campus.
They said: “We sent three paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and the air ambulance was also in attendance.
“We transported one patient via land ambulance to Kettering General Hospital.”
The formerly healthy Dom remained hospitalised for a few days before passing away.
School principal Ian Smith said: “This event has left our college community deeply saddened and shaken.
“We unite in grief with all of Dom’s family, friends, former teammates and those involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and throughout the college’s global family.”
Former Thailand national football team coach Kiatisuk Senamuang told reporters he was heartbroken.
He said: “My thoughts are with his family and friends.
“I think back to his dream of becoming a professional footballer, representing his country and his voice keeps speaking in my head.”
Dom had won a prestigious football scholarship to attend the college in 2022.
The young footballer had a full health check carried out to obtain his visa in 2022, in which doctors said he was very healthy.
Dom was the captain of The Wild Boars football team when 12 members of the team, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old assistant coach were trapped in a flooded cave for 18 days by sudden rainfall.
The boys spent nine nights lost in the cave, living on very little food and water, before being rescued by divers.
Former team-mate Phiphat Phothi said: “RIP Dom, your future was bright. You will be in my memory forever.”
Dom’s mother said she wants a Buddhist monk in England to conduct last rites for Dom so his spirit “will not be trapped where he died”.
