A local football match in southern Thailand turned into a sudden tragedy when a direct lightning bolt hit the pitch during a severe monsoon storm, taking the life of a young athlete and injuring over a dozen others.

The incident occurred during a regional tournament semi-final match in Sungai Kolok, located in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat Province.

As dark clouds and heavy weather swept across the open venue, the lightning strike struck active play without warning, causing multiple players to collapse on the grass simultaneously.

Seconds after the flash, nearby teammates, opposing players, and spectators rushed onto the pitch to assist, attempting emergency revival efforts alongside arriving medical personnel.

Despite immediate resuscitation attempts on the field and rapid transportation to a nearby medical facility, 24-year-old Yala FC player Safwan Awae succumbed to his injuries. Twelve other players suffered varying degrees of injury and blast shock from the proximity of the discharge.

The tragic loss highlights the severe hazards facing outdoor sports during tropical monsoon seasons. Open playing fields leave athletes exceptionally vulnerable to atmospheric electrical discharges, emphasizing the vital necessity for strict, immediate match suspension protocols whenever severe electrical storms gather over open venues.