Thailand Football Player Killed by Lightning During Match

New Delhi: A local football match in southern Thailand turned into a tragedy after lightning struck the playing field during heavy rain, killing a 24-year-old footballer and injuring 12 other players. The horrifying incident was captured on video, which has since gone viral across social media platforms.

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The victim has been identified as Sophawan Awe, who was participating in the Golok FA Cup, a local football tournament featuring amateur and Thai-Malaysian teams. The match was being played between Samcolts and Abu X Nong Sirin when the lightning strike occurred.

A football player was killed and 12 others were injured after a lightning strike hit the field during a match in Thailand. pic.twitter.com/XLAMhPxqgV

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) August 6, 2026

The viral video shows players continuing the game despite heavy rainfall before a powerful bolt of lightning suddenly hits the field, followed by a loud explosion. Moments later, players can be seen collapsing and running for safety as panic spreads across the ground.

Sophawan Awe died after being struck by lightning, while 12 other players sustained injuries in the incident. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and the injured were taken for medical treatment.

The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning why the match was allowed to continue despite severe weather conditions. Several users argued that football matches should be immediately suspended whenever thunderstorms or lightning warnings are issued to prevent such tragedies.

Lightning-related fatalities remain a recurring concern in Thailand. According to available data, at least 283 people were struck by lightning across the country between 2020 and 2024, with many victims losing their lives on the spot.

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