Lightning Strikes Cattle Pen Three Times, Killing Two Breeding Cows; Owner Believes Metal Bell Attracted the Strike
Lightning struck a cattle pen in Buriram province three times during a severe thunderstorm, killing two valuable breeding cows whose owner suspects metal bells hanging nearby attracted the strike.
A severe thunderstorm brought lightning strikes to the cattle pen, killing two breeding cows instantly. The owner suspects that metal bells removed from the animals' necks and hung on a nearby tree may have attracted the lightning.
On the evening of May 1, heavy thunderstorms hit Pak Kham district in Buriram province before lightning struck the cattle pen of Nang Siam, 66, a Pak Kham subdistrict council member, killing two breeding cows. Nang Siam reported hearing three loud lightning strikes during the heavy rain but didn't realize her pen had been hit. When the storm subsided, she discovered both cows dead in the pen. She expressed deep sadness, noting she had been unable to sleep for the previous two to three nights without knowing why, even after taking sleeping medication. She never expected such a tragedy, especially since these were valuable breeding cows.
Her son, Piyavut, explained that around 4 p.m., as wind and storms approached, he had brought the cattle to drink water and quickly returned them to the pen before heading home. However, the two metal bells—made of brass and silver—remained hanging on a wooden post inside the pen. When he was told that lightning had killed two cows, he rushed to check. He felt fortunate he had already secured the cows and returned indoors.
The owner warned other farmers to be cautious, particularly regarding metal objects like bells. He advised removing such items from cattle pens when possible, as they pose a significant danger. Having learned this lesson, he plans to bury the bells and will never attach them to cattle again.
