Tragic: 51-Year-Old Man Struck and Killed by Lightning While Fertilizing Field During Thunderstorm

A 51-year-old worker died after being struck by lightning while fertilizing a field during a thunderstorm on May 3, 2025. Panya Leelakanchanakul, manager of the Sawaeng Witthachathammathan Pak Chong emergency rescue unit in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, reported that they received an alert about a worker struck by lightning in a local field in Pak Chong Subdistrict—an incident that had never occurred in the area before. Rescue units were immediately dispatched along with volunteer staff to assist police officers from Pak Chong Station.

At the scene, a community vegetable field where rain was still falling intermittently, rescuers found 51-year-old Paiwan (surname withheld) unconscious on the ground. He was immediately transported to Pak Chong Nana Hospital but died shortly thereafter.

According to Deputy Sergeant Major Kratchit Pinit, deputy investigator at Pak Chong Station, preliminary information indicated that Paiwan was assisting with fertilizing work on a family relative's field where he was employed, working alongside one colleague. When rain and thunder began, both workers ran for shelter, and a lightning strike caused Paiwan to collapse. His coworker alerted their supervisor and called for help. The official cause of death is pending medical examination results. Authorities are using this as a cautionary reminder that during the current rainy season with thunderstorms and lightning, residents should avoid outdoor areas and standing under trees for protection against severe weather.