Owner Devastated as Lightning Strike Kills Mother Cow and Calf—Borrowed to Buy Them
A woman who borrowed 25,000 baht to buy cattle for farming lost both a mother cow and calf to lightning in Buriram province, leaving her unable to repay the debt and devastated over the loss of animals she considered family.
An owner facing financial hardship borrowed money to purchase cattle with hopes of building a livelihood, only to lose both the mother and calf to a lightning strike in the rice field. The owner is devastated and deeply attached to the animals, which were remarkably intelligent, and now questions how she will repay the debt, hoping the government might provide assistance.
On April 26, a reporter documented how recent summer storms have caused widespread damage across Buriram province, affecting homes, barns, and agricultural areas. The latest thunderstorm occurred in Thai Samakkhi subdistrict, Nong Hong district, Buriram province, with reports of lightning killing two cattle. The incident took place at Ban Nong Semet Noi Pattana.
Reporters found Nang Som, 57, from Moo 11 of the same area, grieving while stroking Jao Ruay and Rung Reung—a mother cow and her calf, ages 5 years and 2 months respectively—lying dead on the ground. Nang Som explained she had previously worked as a housemaid in Bangkok but quit, hoping to pursue agriculture in her hometown. A local development fund then offered agricultural loans to purchase cattle as supplementary income. She borrowed 25,000 baht to buy the mother cow, which she named Jao Ruay. The cow later gave birth to a male calf she named Rung Reung.
She loved both cattle as if they were family members. Around 7:30 p.m. yesterday, heavy rain and thunder struck the area, and by morning, villagers reported the lightning had killed both animals in the rice field. Nang Som remains traumatized, as both cattle were exceptionally intelligent—whenever she visited, they would run over and playfully rub their heads on her. She cannot imagine replacing them and feels helpless about repaying the loan, expressing hope that the government might offer disaster relief assistance.
