A 45-year-old man in Thailand tragically died after being struck by lightning while working in a sugarcane field to earn money for his young daughter’s school uniform.
The incident reportedly took place on May 7 in Buriram province in northeastern Thailand. According to local media reports, the man had been hired to clear weeds in a plantation when the fatal accident occurred.
Authorities were alerted to the incident at around 2pm after a report was made to local police. Rescue workers and emergency medical personnel later arrived at the scene alongside investigators.
The victim, identified as Sunthorn Kaenninthon, was found unconscious beneath a fig tree inside the sugarcane field. Reports stated that he had suffered visible burn injuries to his head, believed to have been caused by the lightning strike.
Emergency responders immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation before rushing him to hospital. However, despite efforts to save him, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Working To Support His Family
According to Thai media outlet Khaosod Online, Sunthorn had reportedly taken on the field job because he urgently needed money to purchase a school uniform for his nine-year-old daughter, who is currently in Primary 4.
Witnesses reportedly said that after lunch, he walked towards a tree to retrieve a hoe before the lightning strike occurred.
The heartbreaking incident has drawn sympathy online, especially after villagers described Sunthorn as a hardworking and responsible father who was willing to take on any available job to support his family.
A villager reportedly told local media that Sunthorn had lived in the community for about eight years and was known for being diligent and caring towards his wife and daughter.
His wife later shared that her husband had always worked tirelessly to provide for the household, including paying for their daughter’s education and daily expenses. Following his sudden death, she is now uncertain about how the family will cope financially without their main breadwinner.
The tragedy has also sparked conversations about workplace safety and insurance coverage for agricultural workers in Southeast Asia, particularly those working outdoors during stormy weather conditions.
Local Officials Offer Financial Assistance
After learning about the incident, local district officials and representatives from the district’s housewives’ association visited the grieving family to express their condolences.
They also provided a personal donation of 5,000 Thai baht, which is approximately S$195, to help support the family during this difficult period.
Lightning strikes remain a significant hazard in rural farming communities across the region, especially during periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Workers in open fields are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of shelter and exposure to tall objects such as trees and farming equipment.
The incident serves as another reminder of the risks faced by low-income labourers who continue working in dangerous weather conditions simply to provide for their families. For many agricultural workers, missing even a single day of work can affect their ability to pay for essential household expenses, education costs, and daily necessities.
Online users in Thailand have since expressed condolences to the family, with many describing the incident as a heartbreaking example of a father making sacrifices for his child’s future.