A tragic incident unfolded during a football match in southern Thailand, leaving the sports community in shock. On August 4, 2026, a lightning strike hit the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, resulting in the death of a player and injuring 12 others. The match, part of the Golok FA Cup, was between local teams SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin.
The victim, identified as Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old winger, was playing for SAMCOLTS. Despite the efforts of emergency medical teams, Awae succumbed to his injuries. The incident was captured on camera, showing the moment the lightning struck near several players, followed by a loud explosion. Awae’s teammates immediately rushed to his aid, attempting to resuscitate him.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The lightning strike occurred around 5:30 PM during the semi-final match. The footage circulated on social media shows a bright light streak hitting the pitch inside the penalty area. The 12 injured players, including one Malaysian footballer, were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Yala FC, the Thai third-tier professional side that Awae had recently signed with, offered condolences to his family. The Football Association of Thailand also shared messages of sympathy. The incident highlights the dangers of playing sports during monsoon storms, which are common in the region.
The Prevalence of Lightning Strikes in Thailand
Lightning strikes are not uncommon in Thailand, posing significant risks to outdoor activities. Between 2026 and 2026, at least 283 people were hit by lightning across the country, with many fatalities reported. In, a lightning strike killed an engineering student and his aunt in Lampang province. Earlier that same month, a pregnant woman in Uthai Thani province was killed while taking shelter under a tree during a lightning storm.
The latest incident in Sungai Golok occurred on the same day that lightning strikes in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand killed at least 14 people, most of them farm workers in open fields. These events underscore the need for better safety measures during severe weather conditions.
Safety Measures and Historical Context
In Singapore, Category 1 weather status alerts are triggered by the Met Service’s islandwide detection networks. These alerts mandate an immediate stop of play and clearance of open fields or public pools. Singapore has one of the highest lightning strike rates in the world, with an average of 175 days of lightning detected annually.
Historical incidents include the tragic death of Jiang Tao, an 18-year-old player with the now-defunct Chinese S-League club Sinchi FC, who was struck by lightning during training at Jurong Stadium in March 2004. In 1996, Mohd Amin Mohd Salleh, a Secondary 2 student, died after being struck by lightning while playing football on his school field.
The tragic incident in Sungai Golok serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and deadly nature of lightning strikes. It calls for heightened awareness and improved safety protocols to protect athletes and the public during severe weather events.
