Overview
- A lightning bolt struck the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok during the Golok FA Cup semi-final, hitting the field at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and knocking several players to the ground.
- 24-year-old winger Sofwan Awae, who had recently signed for Yala FC, was critically injured by the strike and later died despite emergency treatment.
- Twelve other people were treated at Sungai Kolok Hospital for burns and other injuries, including 22-year-old Malaysian player Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli.
- Local police have opened an investigation, the match was abandoned, and clubs plus the Football Association of Thailand have issued condolences to the family and teams.
- The incident has renewed regional pressure for clearer lightning-safety protocols at outdoor sports during the monsoon season and prompted family requests that graphic video not be shared.