'I haven't slept': Duangpetch 'Dom' Phromthep's mom devastated after soccer player, 17, tragically dies
LEICESTERSHIRE, UK: The mother of a teen boy, who suddenly died in the UK, has claimed not to be at peace after the unfortunate incident. Duangpetch "Dom" Phromthep from Thailand had been living in Leicestershire as he was a student at the Brooke House College in Market Harborough. However, on Sunday, February 12, he was reportedly discovered unconscious on his room's floor before being taken to the hospital.
On February 14, the 17-year-old, lovingly called Dom, who was part of the Wild Boars soccer team, was declared dead. Now, his grief-stricken mother, Thanapron Phromthep, told the Daily Mail, “I haven't slept. It's so hard for us. I am grateful for Dom's friends. They have always loved and cared for each other dearly.” She also shared, “It's been hard for us to sleep. We woke up at 2 am and prepared the food and incense for the monks.”
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Cause of Dom's death
The cause of Dom’s death, who became famous after his successful retrieval from a flooded Thai cave in 2018 alongside his football teammates and an assistant coach, is not known yet. His devastated mother said, “We don't know. It's a shock, we're all still shocked. We have to accept what has happened and pray for him.”
Kiatisuk Senamuang, the former Thai national football team coach and the Zico Foundation's chairman that sponsored him, reportedly shared, “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.”
Senamuang, more famously called Coach Zico, also posted a tribute online that read, “Rest in peace, you were my lovely student, polite and gentleman, generous, had a dream to become a professional footballer playing for national team, had a good technique and ready to learn, were a fast learner. I would love to see your dream future but... RIP Dom.”
Cave explorer Vernon Unsworth, who was one of the rescuers who saved Dom’s life as well as his teammates' lives in 2018, told The New York Times, “The sad thing is he was given the opportunity he wanted in life and now his life is suddenly been taken away at a very young age. Life is very cruel.”
'Our family is not rich'
Besides, Thanapron has urged people to help her in getting the remains of her son to their home country for the last rites. She reportedly said, “Our family is not rich and recently he was our main breadwinner. Please help us bring his body back. Our family knows that everyone in the foundation loves Dom and he was loved by Coach Zico like his own son.”
Meanwhile, Ian Smith, the principal at Brooke House college, has expressed his grief and noted, “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,” according to the Firstpost.
He added, “The college is liaising with statutory authorities and the Royal Thai embassy in London, and dedicating all resources to assist our student body, as they as young people process Dom’s passing. Beyond that, we are unable to comment further at this time and would ask for privacy and compassion as we continue to support the students in our care at this time, drawing on the kindness and assistance of the Market Harborough community.”