Lightning Strike Kills Teen Golfer at Youth Tournament
A 15-year-old golfer died after a lightning strike during a youth tournament in Chachoengsao; her father urges stricter safety measures.
At 9:00 a.m. on November 3, 2026, family and relatives transported the body of "Nong Eya," a 15-year-old junior golfer who died after being struck by lightning during a competition in Chachoengsao, from her residence to Darul Ibadah Mosque in Pattaya, Chonburi, for Islamic funeral rites. Relatives, close friends, and fellow golfers from both senior and junior ranks attended to mourn and bid a final farewell. The mood inside the mosque was heavy with grief, with attendees offering condolences to the family over their sudden loss, particularly her golf peers who had trained and competed alongside the rising star.
The incident occurred at a golf course in Don Ko Ka subdistrict, Bang Nam Priao district, Chachoengsao, during a youth tournament. A lightning strike severely injured both Nong Eya and a 31-year-old female caddie. Emergency responders performed CPR before rushing them to hospital, but Nong Eya later succumbed to her injuries.
Her father, Pathompong, shared that his daughter was a quiet child with extraordinary determination, devoting herself seriously to golf with an average training schedule of five to six days per week, combining cycling, fitness conditioning, and golf skills alongside her studies. He admitted he has yet to come to terms with the loss, especially after seeing her condition following the strike, and urged the golf course and tournament organizers to review and significantly enhance safety protocols to protect other athletes from a similar fate.
