Grieving family and former Wild Boars teammates reunited in mourning on Thursday as they held a religious ceremony for the Thai cave survivor who died in an apparent accident in the UK.
Mother Thanaporn Phromthep, along with friends and family, performed religious rituals for 17-year-old Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep at Wat Phra That Doi Wao Temple in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand on February 16.
Former coach Nopparat Kanthawong (41) also attended the ceremony.
As Duangphet’s body had not yet been transferred from the UK, the young man’s parents took his photos, clothes and shoes to the funeral service.
Dom’s favorite pair of Nike sneakers and a brightly colored T-shirt lay on the floor beneath his photo and dozens of flowers. In keeping with Buddhist belief, they prayed that Dom’s spirit would “return home”.
Mother Thanaporn Phromthep joined friends and family as she performed religious rites for Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep (seen in a photo at the ceremony), 17, at the Wat Phra That Doi Wao temple in Chiang Rai province on February 16 performed.
Grieving friends and former Bosvarke teammates attended the ceremony on Thursday
Dom’s mother Thanaporn Phromthep and other family members are seen at the ceremony following his death in the UK on Thursday.
Duangphet died on 14 February after an apparent accident at his student home at Brooke House College Football Academy in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
The cause of his sudden death has not been explained by British officials.
“Everyone was devastated to hear the news of Duangphet’s death,” said Temple Abbot Phra Kru Prayut Jetiyanukarn.
“He was only 17 years old. It was difficult for his parents and friends. From childhood it was his dream to travel abroad and play football.”
Duangphet was the former captain of Thai soccer team Wild Boars, some of whom also attended Thursday’s ceremony, Thai media reported.
The group of 13 to 12 boys and their coach were rescued from the Tham Luang cave in June 2018 after an intense mission that made headlines worldwide.
Duangphet then received a Sport Education Project and Zico Foundation scholarship from Thai soccer legend Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang.
The former Thailand national team captain said in an online press conference that he did not know the cause of death and that Dom appeared to be in good health.
“This event has deeply saddened and shocked our college community,” Brooke House College principal Ian Smith said in a statement after Dom’s death.
“We join in grief with all family members, friends, former teammates and everyone involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and the entire global family of the university.
Dom’s mother said she hoped a Buddhist monk in England could perform rituals for Dom so his spirit would not be imprisoned where Buddhist beliefs say he died.
Dom’s mother said on Thursday that she had not slept for days after being informed of her son’s death. But she said she was grateful for the support shown.
“I am grateful for Dom’s friends. They have always deeply loved and cared for each other,” she said. “It was difficult for us to sleep. We woke up at 2am and prepared the food and incense for the monks.’
READ MORE: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WILDVARK FOOTBALL TEAM AFTER THE RESCUE?
Dom’s pig friends agreed to help repatriate his body so that proper Buddhist rituals could be performed in Thailand.
According to reports from Thailand, his family wants his body to be taken home so he can have a traditional “Northern-style” burial.
Thanapron said on Thursday that the family still does not know how their son died.
She said: “We don’t know. It’s a shock, we’re all still in shock. We have to accept what happened and pray for him.”
Dom was the captain of the Wild Boars, the youth soccer team in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province.
Twelve members of the team, aged 11 to 16, and their coach were exploring the Tham Luang cave complex in June 2018 when they were trapped by rapidly rising tides.
A massive search and rescue operation involving international divers was launched.
The cubs spent nine nights lost in the cave, living on very little food and water, before a diver discovered them deep in the winding cave complex, huddled on a patch of earth above the rising water line.
Dom’s favorite pair of Nike sneakers and a colorful T-shirt were laid out on the floor beneath his photo and dozens of flowers at Thursday’s ceremony (pictured).
Pictured: Dom’s friends and former teammates line up to light candles at Thursday’s ceremony
Pictured: Buddhist monks are seen with Dom’s friends during Thursday’s ceremony
Duangpetch “Dom” Promthep (pictured) died in the United Kingdom on Tuesday after suffering a “head injury” and being found unconscious in his residence at the weekend.
Promthep was filmed smiling at the camera carried by the rescue team after he and his team waited 18 days in the darkness of the cave to be found and rescued.
The moment was caught on video and soon broadcast to the world.
It took another eight days before everyone was safely rescued. A team of experienced divers led each of the boys out of the cave on special stretchers, after drugging them to keep them still enough for transport.
The operation required placing oxygen tanks along the path as the divers maneuvered through dark, narrow and winding passages with muddy water and strong currents.
The story of the wild boar, which has been widely reported in the international media, has been retold in several films, including Ron Howard’s 2022 film Thirteen Lives and the 2021 documentary film The Rescue.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
