The fatal incident occurred at Santiphap Stadium in the Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province. A sudden lightning strike hit the pitch during a Golok FA Cup match, causing several players to collapse instantly.
While more than nine individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to the nearby Sungai Kolok Hospital for treatment, Safwan Awae suffered the most critical injuries. Despite the efforts of the doctors, the young player did not survive, Thai PBS World reported.
Lightning strikes a football field in Suai Ko-lok District, Narathiwat Province, Thailand on Aug. 4, 2026. Video by Facebook/Abdul Basir Chepor
The official page of Yala FC posted a heartfelt message later that day expressing deep condolences to Awae’s family.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) later issued a formal statement regarding the tragedy.
“The Federation shares the grief with the family, friends and the club during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Awae had just signed a contract with Yala FC on July 29. The talented winger was widely recognized as a key player, having previously scored seven goals in 18 matches to help his former club, Pattani FC, gain promotion to Thai League 2 for the 2025-2026 season.
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Safwan Awae signs a contract with Yala FC on July 29, 2026. Photo by Yala FC |
Lightning strikes caused numerous tragedies on football pitches in recent years.
In February 2024, Septian Raharja was struck and killed while playing in a friendly match in Indonesia.
In December 2023, Caio Henrique De Lima Goncalves was also struck and killed by lightning while competing for Uniao Jaiirense in a cup match in Brazil.
In November 2024, 39-year-old defender De La Cruz Meza suffered a similar fatal incident. He was struck while leaving the field to avoid heavy rain during an amateur match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca in Huancayo, central Peru. Authorities determined that Cruz Meza was killed because he was wearing a metal bracelet that attracted the lightning.
According to Matichon, experts advise organizers to immediately suspend all competition activities at the first sign of heavy rain and to deploy lightning rods to ensure a higher standard of safety at outdoor sporting events.