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Thai teenager dies after lightning strike during golf tournament
Fifteen-year-old golfer Aeyavarin Pradubyart died after being struck by lightning during a tournament in Chachoengsao, Thailand. The incident has prompted an investigation into how the storm was handled and the response to the injured players.
Aeyavarin was putting on the 11th hole at Lotus Valley Golf Resort on Sunday as heavy rain and lightning arrived; 31-year-old caddy Saitharn Boonkerd was also struck and remains under medical supervision. Both were given CPR and taken to hospital, where Aeyavarin later died. Her family says the competition continued as the weather worsened and that no ambulance was available at the course; organisers say they are gathering facts. The tournament’s third round, scheduled for 7 November, has been postponed.
In short
- A 15-year-old golfer died after a lightning strike in Thailand.
- Her caddy was injured and remains under medical supervision.
- Organisers are investigating; the tournament’s third round was postponed.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The family’s account raises serious questions about whether play continued too long as lightning approached and whether emergency support was adequate. In a tournament, organisers have a duty to put participants’ safety first, and clear procedures to suspend play and get prompt medical help can reduce avoidable risks.
The case against
The organisers say they are still gathering facts, so it would be premature to conclude that they ignored warnings or lacked an adequate response. A fair assessment should establish what weather information was available, when play was halted, what medical resources were on site and how quickly responders acted before assigning responsibility.
Explained simply
Lightning can strike during a storm even when rain is already falling, making outdoor sports such as golf hazardous. Golf tournaments take place across open courses, where players and caddies may be far from shelter and emergency help.
Aeyavarin Pradubyart was a 15-year-old Thai golfer competing at Lotus Valley Golf Resort in Chachoengsao. Her caddy, Saitharn Boonkerd, was also injured; both received CPR and were taken to hospital.
The incident has raised questions about how organisers monitor dangerous weather, when play should stop and how quickly medical help can reach people on the course. Organisers are gathering information, and the circumstances are being investigated.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Teenage golfer, 15, is killed and caddy is injured by lightning strike during tournament in Thailand”.