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• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Thai Footballer Killed, 12 Others Injured After Lightning Strikes Pitch During Match
PHNOM PENH, August 5, 2026 – A Thai footballer was killed and 12 others, including a Malaysian player, were injured after lightning struck a football pitch in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, on Tuesday evening during a semi-final match of the regional Golok FA Cup tournament.
The incident occurred at approximately 5.30pm local time amid heavy rain at Santiphap Stadium, according to Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt, as reported by Malaysian news outlet the New Straits Times (NST). The match was between Abu x Nong Sirin and SAMCOLT, a mixed team comprising Thai and Malaysian players.
The deceased was identified as 24-year-old Sofwan Awae, a winger for third-tier semi-professional club Yala FC. According to the Thai Enquirer, he was playing for the Abu x Nong Sirin team in the tournament, though conflicting reports exist. He had previously played for Pattani FC and had signed with Yala FC only days before the incident.
Police received an emergency call at about 5.30pm and rushed to the scene, where they found Sofwan in critical condition. "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident," Thun said, as quoted by Malaysia's Bernama news agency.
The injured Malaysian player was identified as 22-year-old Mohammad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who was playing for SAMCOLT, according to NST. All injured players were sent to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment.
Yala FC and the Football Association of Thailand have offered their condolences. "The association joins in mourning this loss and offers its condolences to the family, those involved and the football club during this time of sorrow," the association said in a statement.
Sungai Golok sits near the border of Thailand and Malaysia's Kelantan state. The Golok FA Cup also features other Malaysian teams, including Kelantan FC.
— Source: CNA
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The incident occurred at approximately 5.30pm local time amid heavy rain at Santiphap Stadium, according to Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt, as reported by Malaysian news outlet the New Straits Times (NST). The match was between Abu x Nong Sirin and SAMCOLT, a mixed team comprising Thai and Malaysian players.
The deceased was identified as 24-year-old Sofwan Awae, a winger for third-tier semi-professional club Yala FC. According to the Thai Enquirer, he was playing for the Abu x Nong Sirin team in the tournament, though conflicting reports exist. He had previously played for Pattani FC and had signed with Yala FC only days before the incident.
Police received an emergency call at about 5.30pm and rushed to the scene, where they found Sofwan in critical condition. "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident," Thun said, as quoted by Malaysia's Bernama news agency.
The injured Malaysian player was identified as 22-year-old Mohammad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who was playing for SAMCOLT, according to NST. All injured players were sent to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment.
Yala FC and the Football Association of Thailand have offered their condolences. "The association joins in mourning this loss and offers its condolences to the family, those involved and the football club during this time of sorrow," the association said in a statement.
Sungai Golok sits near the border of Thailand and Malaysia's Kelantan state. The Golok FA Cup also features other Malaysian teams, including Kelantan FC.
— Source: CNA
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network