Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, the famed captain of the Thai football team that was trapped inside a cave for nine days in 2018, tragically took his own life while attending school in the UK. A senior coroner recorded his death as a suicide after an inquest.
Dom was discovered unconscious at Brooke House College, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on 12 February. He was pronounced dead two days later at Kettering General Hospital.
The record of inquest, detailed by Prof Catherine Mason, stated, “Mr Phromthep was not known to mental health services, and it is not known why he took the actions that he did. It could not have been foreseen or prevented.” The police found no evidence suggesting third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.
Worldwide, Dom was known as the captain of The Wild Boars football team. A sudden storm had flooded the cave they were in, leaving them stranded inside. During this ordeal, Dom celebrated his 13th birthday in the cave. Their plight garnered global attention, and images of the trapped boys circulated extensively in the media. An international rescue effort, comprising roughly 10,000 individuals, successfully located and retrieved the team and their 25-year-old coach after they had spent nine days in the cave without food.
Dom had joined Brooke House College’s football academy the previous year. Principal Ian Smith expressed the school’s deep sorrow, saying, “Our entire college community remains united in grief with Dom’s family, friends, and former teammates.” Emphasizing the school’s commitment to student welfare, he added, “Since this tragedy, our dedicated pastoral team has continued to provide support to students and colleagues. Dom will always remain a part of the Brooke House family and will be hugely missed.”
