Ashes of Thailand ‘Cave Boy’ Released on Mekong River

Family members, accompanied by monks and fellow mourners, release the ashes of Duangphet Phromthep in a makeshift boat along with soccer balls and some of his prized possessions into the Mekong River in Chiang Rai Province Thailand, Monday, March 6, 2023. Duangphet was one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in 2018. He died in the U.K. last month. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

CHIANG SAEN, Thailand (KAWEEWIT KAEWJINDA Associated Press) — Family members, monks and friends watched from a boat Monday as the ashes of one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand in 2018 were released into the Mekong River. Seventeen-year-old Duangphet Phromthep died last month while attending a sports academy in England.

Duangphet’s ashes floated away in a makeshift vessel, along with soccer balls and some of his prized possessions, in an area of the river in Chiang Rai, the country’s northernmost province, where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet known as the Golden Triangle.

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The makeshift boat with the ashes of Duangphet Phromthep and soccer balls, are seen in the Mekong River as his family released it into the river, in Chiang Rai Province Thailand, Monday, March 6, 2023. Duangphet was one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in 2018. He died in the U.K. last month. (AP Photo /Sakchai Lalit)

His body was cremated in a Buddhist ceremony in England in accordance with his family’s wishes.

Phra Khru Prayut Chetiyanukarn, abbot of the province’s Wat Phra That Doi Wao temple who led the Buddhist funeral procession, said the location is where people often scatter the ashes of their family members. He said the Golden Triangle “is believed to contain a Naga that helps protect and takes care (of the dead) for us.”

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Family members, accompanied by monks and fellow mourners, prepare to release the ashes of Duangphet Phromthep in a makeshift boat into the Mekong River in Chiang Rai Province Thailand, Monday, March 6, 2023. Duangphet was one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in 2018. He died in the U.K. last month. (AP Photo /Sakchai Lalit)

Nagas are serpent-like mystical creatures that are revered according to Thai Buddhist beliefs. The Mekong River is one of Asia’s longest, spanning almost 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles), and runs through several countries including China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.

Duangphet, known as Dom, was found unconscious in his room on Feb. 12 at Brooke House College Football Academy in Leicestershire in central England. He died in a hospital two days later.

The cause of death has not been released to the public by coroners, but police said it was not believed to be suspicious.

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Family members hold the portrait of Duangphet Phromthep and ashes before releasing his ashes into the Mekong River in Chiang Rai Province Thailand, Monday, March 6, 2023. Duangphet was one of the 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in 2018. He died in the U.K. last month. (AP Photo /Sakchai Lalit)

Buddhist prayer sessions for Duangphet took place over the weekend at Wat Phra That Doi Wao in his hometown of Chiang Rai after his ashes arrived from Britain on Sunday.

The temple is less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Tham Luang cave, where Duangphet and 11 of his “Wild Boar” soccer teammates and their coach were trapped for more than two weeks before being safely guided out by expert cave divers in a miraculous effort that captured global interest.

Adul Sam-on, a former teammate who was trapped with him in 2018, arrived in Chiang Rai on Monday from New York, where he is studying, to say his final goodbyes to Duangphet, one of his closest friends.

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Adul Sam-on, a member of the Wild Boars soccer team rescued from a flooded cave 2018, talks to a reporter in front of the ashes of late Duangphet Phromthep at Wat Phra That Doi Wao temple in Chiang Rai province Thailand, Monday, March 6, 2023. The ashes of Duangphet Phromthep in a makeshift boat were scattered into the Mekong River Monday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

“Even though today was the last day of the ceremony, I’m happy I made it,” Adul said. “We were so close. We were just like brothers.”

Duangphet was described by his friends and coaches as a talented and determined soccer player.

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“He was so good at football both technically and mentally,” said Anucha Ratchacote, 17, a former teammate of Duangphet at Vachiralai Bee School in Chiang Mai. “He wanted to play for the national team and I think he was good enough.”

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