Bangkok, Thailand, February 19, 2023: Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has expressed her grief over the tragic death of young Thai football player Duangphet “Dom” Promthep in the UK.
Duangphet, 17, was one of 12 members of the Wild Boars football team, along with their coach, rescued from a cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2018 in a mission that enthralled the world.
The Thai youngster was later offered a scholarship to study in England, but tragedy struck when he was found unconscious in his room last Sunday. Thai media reported that he had banged his head during a fall in the bathroom of his dormitory and that he had died in hospital on Tuesday.
Khunying Patama, Chair of the OCA Culture Committee and an IOC Member from Thailand, said: “My tears fell when I first heard the news. The IOC once took 13 members of the Wild Boars academy to the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
“We had the opportunity to connect with them and introduced them to many Youth Olympic athletes. I would like to offer my condolences to Dom’s parents and family.”
The players attended the opening ceremony of the YOG in Argentina and were honoured by IOC President Thomas Bach.
Duangphet had a dream of playing football for the Thai national team, and his death shocked the country.