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Teen golfer killed by lightning strike as mom points finger at tournament officials
Aeyavarin “Aeya” Pradubyart, a 15-year-old Thai golfer, died after being struck by lightning during a tournament in Chachoengsao province. Her family says play continued despite lightning in the area, raising questions about how quickly organisers respond to dangerous weather.
The strike happened near the 11th hole at about 4pm local time over the weekend. Course staff found Pradubyart unconscious and performed CPR; she died in hospital on Monday from severe burns. A caddie was also injured, less seriously. Pradubyart had won a girls’ Class B event on the Junior Asian Tour in March, and her mother has urged courses and organisers to strengthen prevention and emergency measures.
In short
- A 15-year-old golfer died after a lightning strike in Thailand.
- Her family says play continued after lightning was seen nearby.
- Her mother is calling for stronger safety and response measures.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tournament officials have a duty to protect players and staff, especially when lightning is reported nearby, and pausing play promptly can reduce the risk of a fatal strike. The family’s account raises a legitimate question about whether the warning signs were acted on quickly enough and whether emergency procedures were adequate.
The case against
A lightning death is a tragedy, but the available account does not establish what organisers knew or when they knew it, so assigning blame before an investigation could be unfair. Officials must make decisions with the information available at the time, and responsibility may also depend on weather conditions, course safety systems and the actions of several parties.