Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Thai Footballer Dies After Lightning Strikes Pitch During Match
During a football game in southern Thailand, a big storm came with heavy rain and lightning.
A lightning bolt hit the field, and many players fell down.
One player, a 24-year-old man named Awae, was hurt very badly.
Sadly, doctors could not save him, and he died.
Twelve other players were also hurt.
He had just joined a new football team called Yala FC days before.
He used to play for Pattani FC and scored seven goals for them.
Everyone in Thai football was very sad and sent messages to his family.
Experts say that football games should be stopped when there is thunder and lightning.
They say lightning is very dangerous for everyone at outdoor games.
A 24-year-old Thai footballer, reported as Sofwan Awae or Safwan Awae, died after lightning struck the pitch during a Golok FA Cup match.
The strike at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, also injured 12 other players (one report says nine), including 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli.
Awae was a winger for SAMCOLTS, which was facing Abu x Nong Sirin in a tournament featuring amateur Thai and Malaysian teams.
He had recently signed for Thai third-tier club Yala FC and was rushed to Sungai Kolok Hospital, where he died despite emergency medical efforts.
Yala FC and the Football Association of Thailand mourned his death, and experts warned that matches should be suspended when thunderstorms approach.
- Who
- Sofwan Awae (also spelled Safwan Awae), a 24-year-old Thai winger for SAMCOLTS who had recently signed for Yala FC
- What
- He died after a lightning bolt struck the pitch during a Golok FA Cup match; 12 other players were injured
- When
- On Tuesday, during a match played in heavy monsoon rain
- Where
- Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok (Su-ngai Kolok), Narathiwat province, southern Thailand
- Why
- Lightning struck the field mid-match, causing critical injuries that proved fatal despite emergency medical efforts
- Victim
- Sofwan Awae (also spelled Safwan Awae), age 24
- Team
- Winger for SAMCOLTS; recently signed with Yala FC (Thai League 3 Southern Region)
- Opponent
- Abu x Nong Sirin
- Tournament
- Golok FA Cup, featuring amateur Thai and Malaysian teams
- Venue
- Santiphap Stadium, Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, Thailand
- Other Injuries
- 12 other players injured (one report says nine), including Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli
- Previous Career
- 7 goals in 18 appearances for Pattani FC; helped secure promotion to Thai League 2
- Reactions
- Tributes from Yala FC and the Football Association of Thailand
Sources
Horror Scenes! Lightning Strike Kills 24-Year-Old Football Player Mid-Match In Thailand | Video
Lightning Strike Kills Footballer, Injures 12 During Match in Thailand
‘Devastating’: Thai footballer dies after lightning strikes pitch during match