Junior Golfer Perishes After Lightning Strike During Thai Tournament
A promising 15-year-old golfer Aeyavarin Pradubyart has died after being struck by lightning during a Thailand tournament. Family questions safety protocols.
POLICY WIRE — Chachoengsao, Thailand — A talented 15-year-old junior golfer has passed away after being hit by lightning while competing in a tournament in eastern Thailand.
The tragic incident occurred Sunday afternoon at a golf course in the Chachoengsao province, located east of Bangkok, when lightning struck near the 11th hole. The storm also reportedly injured a 31-year-old female caddie who was present during the event.
Emergency responders arrived to find the teenager unconscious and without a pulse. While they successfully performed CPR and restarted her heart temporarily, she was transported to a local facility and later moved to Buddhasothorn Hospital for intensive care.
The victim’s mother, Natcha Pradubyat, revealed that her daughter’s heart stopped for nearly an hour following the initial strike. Despite medical teams attempting multiple resuscitation efforts throughout the night, the young athlete ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
On Monday, Ms. Pradubyat shared a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, stating that while no parent wants to let their child go, they had to let her pass peacefully to avoid further suffering. She praised her daughter’s strength, wishing her to rest in peace.
Nation Thailand reported that the girl’s father returned to the country from a job in neighboring Myanmar immediately after learning of the tragedy. Since the event, the family has raised serious concerns regarding why the tournament was permitted to continue despite active lightning in the area.
According to Ms. Pradubyat, lightning hit a nearby line of trees around 3 p.m. local time, followed by a series of strikes as heavy rain began. She alleged that tournament officials failed to immediately halt play or order the young players to evacuate the course.
The mother claimed the competition only ceased after another thunderous strike, at which point officials used golf carts to transport the players away. She noted that she initially struggled to find her daughter among the returning group before learning she had been struck and was receiving first aid.
The teenager’s 67-year-old grandmother, Aphorn Pradubyat, also criticized the organizers’ decisions, noting the girl was playing with a small group when the storm hit. Ms. Pradubyat is now calling on the industry to implement stricter safety measures, including clear storm suspension protocols and guaranteed access to medical support.
Aeyavarin was a rising star in the sport and a member of the Thai Student Golf Union. In March, she had won the girls’ Class B title at the first leg of the Junior Asian Tour 2026 via a playoff and was being considered for a reserve spot on the Chon Buri provincial team.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)>
