Captain of the Thai ‘Cave Boys’ Football Team Duangpetch Promthep Passes Away
Duangpetch Promthep, known as Dom, passed away in his dorm while attending a football academy in Britain.
Duangpetch Promthep may be a familiar name to many football moms and dads. Internationally known as one of the “Cave Boys”, he was one of those who was rescued back in 2018 when he was trapped in a cave but was rescued by Thai NAVY seals and divers. Unfortunately, the young boy passed away in a hospital in the United Kingdom which Brooke House College in Leicester confirmed. He had been attending a football academy under a scholarship, which he had won last year with the help of former national Thai football team captain, Zico.
Prior to leaving for the United Kingdom, he wrote on social media: “Today, my dream has come true because I will become a football student in England.”
He was 17 years old.

Duangpetch Promthep: Captain Dom of the Wild Boars
Affectionately known as Dom to his teammates and his family, Duangpetch always dreamed of playing football for his country. Many described him as a “happy, polite, and humble” boy despite the international attention. Besides his and the 12 cave boys’ story becoming the inspiration for the Hollywood movie “Thirteen Lives“, his dreams to represent Thailand inspired his teammates as well.
“You told me to wait and see when you get the national team’s call-up when we last met before you traveled to England. I was teasing that I need to get your autograph when you get back. Sleep well, my friend,” penned Prachak Sutham, who was with Duangpetch during the cave incident.
Titan Chanin Viboonrungruang, another member of the Wild Boars, wrote: “You used to tell me that we will follow our dream in football. You’re a person who inspires me to improve and catch up with you. If there were to be a next life, I wish that we can play football together again, Dom. You will always be in my memory.”
Although there’s no information about his cause of death, the Leicester police assured the public that the death was an accident and not suspicious.
A captain inspires
Football is a game that involves a team and eventually creates a family who train, bleed, sweat, cry, and celebrate together. Each member sees each other as brothers as they compete together for a dream to become the best in the world. And although Duangpetch’s journey was sadly cut short, the Wild Boars will make sure that they will see to his dream in his stead.
More about football:
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team Paves Way For Aspiring Filipino Footballers
Stephan Schrock: Major Goals for His Family
Argentina Celebrates Their FIFA World Cup 2022 Victory as Dads