A 15-year-old golfer, Aeyavarin Pradubyart, has died and her caddy, Saitharn Boonkerd, 31, was injured after they were struck by lightning during a tournament at the Lotus Valley Golf Resort in Chachoengsao, Thailand. The incident occurred Sunday afternoon amid heavy rain.
Pradubyart was reportedly putting on the 11th hole when multiple lightning bolts struck the area, knocking both her and Boonkerd unconscious. Officials had suspended the tournament due to the downpour. Aeyavarin and Boonkerd were later found unconscious on the course. Both received CPR at the scene before being transported to Bang Nam Priao Hospital in critical condition. Pradubyart was subsequently transferred to Phutthasothon Hospital, where her condition worsened, and she was pronounced dead on Monday.
Aeyavarin's mother stated that her daughter had been moving between holes when the weather deteriorated around 3 p.m. She claimed lightning initially struck near pine trees before more bolts followed. She added that the competition continued until a loud thunderclap and heavy rain finally prompted a suspension. She recounted a distressing search for her daughter before learning she had been struck and was receiving first aid. Her mother described Aeyavarin's face and body turning red and experiencing convulsions.
The teenager's grandmother mentioned a delay in hospital transport due to the lack of an available ambulance at the golf course.
The tournament organizers expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to Pradubyart's family. They stated that an investigation was underway to gather all facts. The third round of the competition, scheduled for November 7, has been postponed. The injured caddy, Saitharn Boonkerd, remains under medical observation.
Aeyavarin was described as a promising young golfer who had won multiple awards and competed at the provincial level. She was a registered member of the Thai Student Golf Union and had previously won the girls' Class B event in the first leg of the Junior Asian Tour 2026. She was also selected as a reserve golfer for Chonburi and was scheduled to compete in more tournaments.
