Thailand football tragedy as lightning strike claims Yala FC player during semi-final

A football match in Thailand turned into a tragedy on Tuesday when a lightning strike hit the pitch, killing one player and injuring 12 others.

The incident happened at Santiphap Stadium in the Sungai Kolok area of Narathiwat province, where a Thai side was playing a Malaysian team in the semi-final of the 2026 Jolo Cup. The match was taking place in heavy rain and poor weather conditions.

Local reports said the lightning struck the playing surface directly while the game was under way. Several players were knocked to the ground by the force of the strike, while Thai winger Suphawan Owai suffered critical injuries.

Video footage shared online showed the moment the lightning hit the pitch. Owai’s team-mates and members of the coaching staff immediately ran towards him and tried to provide assistance, as several other players lay affected by the impact.

The 24-year-old was taken urgently to a nearby hospital, but medical staff were unable to save him. He later died as a result of the serious injuries he had sustained.

Sungai Kolok police chief Thon Sirikhun said emergency teams had made every effort to save Owai’s life. However, the player died from the severe injuries caused by the lightning strike.

Twelve other players were also injured in the incident. Among them was Malaysian player Alif Azhan Zulkifli, 22, who was taken to hospital for treatment. No further details were given about the condition of the other injured players.

Owai had only recently joined Yala FC, who compete in Thailand’s third tier. His death brought his playing career to a sudden end in what was described as a shocking incident on the football pitch.

The strike occurred during a period of rain and difficult weather at Santiphap Stadium, where the semi-final between teams from Thailand and Malaysia was being played. The incident has caused shock across sporting circles in the region.