A 15-year-old golfer has died after being struck by lightning during a tournament in Thailand. Her 31-year-old caddy was also taken to hospital.
Aeyavarin Pradubyart was lining up a putt on the 11th hole at the Lotus Valley Golf Resort in Chachoengsao when several lightning bolts hit the ground. The teenager and her caddy, Saitharn Boonkerd, 31, were struck as heavy rain fell at the course east of Bangkok.
Officials had sounded an alarm to suspend play, but Aeyavarin and Saitharn were missing. Players returned to the clubhouse before searching for the pair, who were later found unconscious on the course.
Emergency Response and Hospital Transfer
Both received CPR at the scene and were taken to Bang Nam Priao Hospital in critical condition. According to local reports, Aeyavarin suffered serious burns down the right side of her body. She was later moved to Phutthasothon Hospital, where her condition worsened overnight and she was pronounced dead in the morning. Her caddy remains under close medical supervision, with the extent of her injuries unclear.
Aeyavarin had won multiple competitions and was considered a rising star in Thai golf, leading to her selection as a reserve golfer for Chonburi province.
Mother's Account of the Incident
The teenager's mother, Natcha Pradubyart, 49, announced her daughter's death in a social media post: "No parents would ever easily let their child go. But if it brings pain to our beloved child, we will choose to let go, so you may rest in peace."
She added: "You were the strongest, my beloved child Aeya. Your heart stopped for nearly an hour after being struck by lightning, yet you fought back ten times, enduring through the night to wait for your father to fly back and say a final goodbye. Rest peacefully, my beloved child."
Natcha said officials failed to stop the competition despite lightning first striking a line of pine trees along the green. More bolts followed before a deafening thunderclap and heavy rain forced the suspension. She described how she saw two of Aeyavarin's playing partners return, but her daughter was nowhere to be seen, and she was told, "Aeya is lying down". She later learned a child had been struck by lightning and rushed to find her daughter, who had been taken to the clubhouse and was receiving first aid.
Investigation and Condolences
The teenager's grandmother, Aphorn Pradubyart, 67, claimed there was a delay taking her to hospital because no ambulance was available at the course.
The tournament's organisers said they were 'deeply saddened' by the incident and offered their condolences, adding: "Currently, the organising committee is working with the golf course to expedite the investigation and gather all the facts thoroughly in order to obtain the most accurate and clear information."
