Yala FC player killed by lightning strike, Malaysian among 11 injured
The tragedy struck during a Golok FA Cup 2026 semi-final at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok yesterday evening.
SUNGAI GOLOK – A Yala FC player died after being struck by lightning while playing in a semi-final match of the Golok FA Cup 2026 football tournament at Santiphap Stadium here yesterday evening.
The victim, Sofwan Awae, 24, from Waeng District in Narathiwat, was pronounced dead at the scene in the incident which occurred at about 5.30pm local time.
A Malaysian, Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, 22, was also injured in the incident.
The match involved the combined Thai-Malaysian sides Sam Colt and Abu Nong Sirin.
Also injured were Somchai Longmihna, 25; Sakirin Tikasom, 36; Sakariya Koleh, 38; Hamirul Cheh Asa, 32; Saranant Sathavorn, 37; Mayusaran Kaso, 31; Fatel Baka, 19; Suhaimi Rohman, 28; Anas Dulyaseree and Khairy Layeng.
Sungai Golok district police chief Thun Sirikhunt said preliminary investigations found that heavy rain and strong winds hit the stadium area before lightning struck the middle of the pitch while the match was in progress.
He said Sofwan, who was playing for Abu Nong Sirin, collapsed from the strike, while about 11 other players were injured.
"Several of Sofwan's teammates tried to give emergency aid before emergency medical personnel from the Sheng Mu Tharn Namjai Sungai Golok Foundation arrived, but the victim could not be saved.
"All the injured were sent to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment," he said. (Quote translated from Malay.)
Thun said Mohamad Alif Ezzahan, who represented Sam Colt, decided to return to Malaysia for further treatment.
He said the tournament is a local football competition open to teams from various provinces in southern Thailand as well as Malaysia.
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