Key Highlights
- Incident:15-year-old Aeyavarin Pradubyart fatally struck by lightning.
- Date:The tragedy occurred on November 2, 2026, during a youth tournament.
- Response:Calls for improved safety protocols in youth sports have intensified.
CHACHOENGSAO, Thailand — The Thai sports community is in deep mourning following the tragic death of 15-year-old rising golf star Aeyavarin "Aeya" Pradubyart. The award-winning junior golfer passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, a day after being struck by lightning during a youth tournament in central Thailand's Chachoengsao province.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 PM near the 11th hole of a golf course in Bang Nam Priao district. A 31-year-old female caddie, identified as Saithan, was also injured in the direct strike and remains under close medical supervision. Eyewitnesses reported that a sudden thunderstorm moved over the course during the afternoon round, with multiple loud cracks of thunder preceding the lightning strike that hit Aeyavarin directly.
The force of the strike caused severe burns along the right side of the teenager's body and tore her headwear. Emergency personnel and first responders performed immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the course rest area after finding her without a detectable pulse. Rescuers managed to restore a heartbeat after nearly an hour of resuscitation before transferring her to Phutthasothon Hospital in critical condition. Despite intensive care efforts through the night, she succumbed to her injuries Monday morning shortly after her father returned from abroad to bid his final farewell.
The tragedy has sparked widespread public outcry and intense scrutiny regarding safety protocols at youth sporting events in Thailand. Aeyavarin's grieving family, including her mother Natcha and grandmother Aphorn, raised severe allegations against the tournament organizers. They contend that lightning strikes had been observed near the course as early as 3:00 PM, yet officials allowed young competitors to remain on the fairway until after the fatal strike occurred. Furthermore, family members alleged that the absence of a dedicated medical ambulance stationed on site created critical delays in transferring the injured teenager to the emergency room.
"No family should ever have to go through a loss like this," her family shared in public statements while claiming her body for traditional funeral rites. Aeyavarin, a native of Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri province, was widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Thai junior golf. A standout member of the Thai Student Golf Union, she had recently captured the girls' Class B division title at the Junior Asian Tour earlier in 2026 and was slated for provincial reserve selection.
Local sports authorities and golfing associations have expressed profound condolences as calls mount for strict national weather-safety regulations and mandatory lightning detection systems at all sports venues. The tragic loss of Aeyavarin Pradubyart serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in youth sports, particularly in regions prone to sudden weather changes.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
