A regional football match in southern Thailand turned into a scene of utter tragedy when a violent lightning strike hit the pitch during a sudden downpour, resulting in the death of a young player and leaving twelve others injured.
The catastrophic incident occurred at the Santiphap Stadium in the Sungai Golok district of Narathiwat province. A high-stakes regional FA Cup semi-final fixture was underway between Abu FC (Abu X Nong Sirin) and Samkolt—a mixed side featuring players from both Thailand and Malaysia. As torrential rain lashed the border region, a powerful bolt of lightning struck the playing surface without warning, instantly collapsing multiple players who were caught in the open.
Twenty-four-year-old Sophwan Awae, a promising winger who had recently signed with Abu FC after stints with Yala FC and Pattani FC, was fatally struck on the pitch. Local police chief Colonel Thoon Srikhunt confirmed that emergency responders rushed to the venue following distress calls at approximately half-past five in the evening. Medics fought frantically to resuscitate Sophwan, but the severity of the electrical shock proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
Twelve other individuals sustained injuries during the freak weather event and were rushed to Sungai Golok Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Among the casualties was twenty-two-year-old Malaysian player Muhammad Aliff Ezzahan Zulkifli, who had been representing the Samkolt side. The border town of Sungai Golok sits adjacent to Malaysia’s Kelantan state, frequently drawing cross-border club participation for local tournaments, making the tragedy reverberate across both nations.
The Football Association of Thailand released an official statement expressing profound grief over the sudden loss. The governing body extended its deepest condolences to the grieving family, teammates, and officials associated with the clubs involved, casting a heavy shadow over local grassroots football and renewing concerns regarding match safety during severe weather.
