Wednesday 05 / August / 2026
Narathiwat, Thailand: A football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy after a lightning strike killed a player and injured nine others during the Golok FA Cup 2026 on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at around 5 p.m. on August 4 at Santipap Stadium in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, as heavy rain lashed the area during the match between Samcolts and Abu x Nong Sirin.
Twenty-four-year-old winger Sofwan Awae, who had recently signed with Yala FC, was struck by lightning and died at the scene. Fellow players immediately attempted to revive him before emergency medical teams arrived, but he could not be saved.
At least nine other people were injured in the incident, including Malaysian player Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Bin Zulkifli. Eight Thai players and officials received treatment at a local hospital.
Sofwan's family has appealed to the public not to circulate videos of the incident out of respect for his memory and the family's privacy.
The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter lightning safety protocols at outdoor sporting events, particularly in regions prone to thunderstorms. Experts advise that matches should be suspended immediately when lightning is detected, with players and spectators moved to safe shelter until conditions improve.
