A 24-year-old footballer has died after being struck by lightning during a match in Thailand. The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 4th, at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, where amateur side SAMCOLTS were playing Abu x Nong Sirin in a Golok FA Cup game.
Sofwan Awae, a Thai national, was struck by a massive bolt that hit the pitch, killing him instantly and injuring 12 others. Despite immediate efforts from teammates, opposing players, and spectators who administered CPR, he could not be saved.
Emergency response and official statements
Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt said: "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident." The 12 injured were taken to hospital, and video footage of the event has gone viral.
The Football Association of Thailand expressed its condolences, stating: "The association joins in mourning this loss and offers its condolences to the family, those involved and the football club during this time of sorrow." Yala FC, the opposing team, also offered condolences, referring to Awae as "our new FC Yala player."
Similar tragedies and lightning risks
The incident echoes a 1998 tragedy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 11 players died from a lightning strike during a match. In Thailand, lightning strikes killed 283 people between 2020 and 2024, according to the Department of Disease Control, with most dying instantly.
Recent cases include an engineering student and his aunt killed in Lampang province, and a pregnant woman who died under a tree in Uthai Thani province.
