A 24-year-old Thai footballer died after a lightning strike struck the pitch during a regional tournament match in southern Thailand on Tuesday evening. Several additional players and bystanders were also injured in the strike.
The event took place at Santiphap Stadium, also referred to as Santipap Stadium or Babu Field, in the Su-ngai Kolok municipality of Narathiwat province, near the border with Malaysiaβs Kelantan state. It occurred during the semi-final of the Golok FA Cup 2026, a regional tournament involving local Thai teams and mixed Thai-Malaysian sides.
The match was between SAMCOLTS (also spelled SAMCOLT or Samcolts), a mixed team of Thai and Malaysian players, and Abu x Nong Sirin.
According to Sungai Golok police chief Colonel Thun Sirikhunt, the lightning strike occurred at about 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. local time. Police received an emergency call around 5:30 p.m. and responded to the scene. Video footage shared online showed a bright flash of light striking an area of the pitch, accompanied by a loud sound, after which several players collapsed.
Teammates of the deceased player were seen attempting to revive him on the field by turning him onto his back before emergency medical personnel arrived.
The deceased player was identified as Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old Thai winger. He had recently signed with Yala FC, a club competing in Thai League 3, on July 29. Prior to that, he had played for Pattani FC, where he recorded seven goals in 18 matches and contributed to the clubβs promotion to Thai League 2 for the 2025-2026 season.
Safwan Awae, a player of a Thai League 3 club, has tragically ππππππ ππππ after being struck by lightning while playing a game in the Kolok FA Cup in Thailand. π
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family & friends. π pic.twitter.com/Rkc11bLflp
β CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 5, 2026
The incident left an additional nine players injured, while Awae succumbed to his injures after initially being transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The injured included Malaysian player Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, aged 22, from Kelantan, who was playing for SAMCOLTS. He sustained a leg injury, received initial treatment at Sungai Kolok Hospital, and was later cleared to return to Malaysia.
Other injured players, primarily Thai, were also treated at Sungai Kolok Hospital for what were primarily described as burn-related injuries.
βThe association joins in mourning this loss and offers its condolences to the family, those involved and the football club during this time of sorrow,β the Football Association of Thailand said in a statement.
