Thai man, 45, dies from lightning strike while working in field to earn money for daughter's uniform

A 45-year-old man in Thailand who was working in a sugarcane field to earn money for his daughter's school uniform died after being struck by lightning on May 7, 2026.

The incident occurred in northeastern Thailand's Buriram province, Khaosod Online reported, adding that a deputy investigator at a police station received a report regarding the incident at 2pm that day.

Man found unconscious

He then visited the scene with rescue workers and emergency medical services, according to Khaosod Online.

The victim, Sunthorn Kaenninthon, was found lying face up and unconscious under a fig tree in a sugarcane field, where he was said to have suffered burn marks on his head.

Emergency personnel immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him before rushing him to the hospital, Khaosod Online reported, adding that he subsequently died.

Earn money for school uniform

This comes after Sunthorn was one of the workers hired by the sugarcane plantation to clear weeds, Amarin TV reported.

He was reportedly in need of money to buy a school uniform for his nine-year-old daughter in fourth grade before school started.

After lunch that day, Sunthorn was apparently seen heading towards a tree to retrieve a hoe.

He was struck by lightning as he picked up the tool, according to Khaosod Online.

Personal donation

Khaosod Online reported that prior to his death, he had lived in the village for around eight years, a villager said.

The wife said her husband was a hardworking man who took on any job to earn money for the family, especially for their daughter's school fees.

She is now unsure of how her family will manage without their primary breadwinner.

Upon learning of Sunthorn's death, the district chief and president of the district's housewives' association visited his wife and daughter to offer their condolences.

They also presented a personal donation of 5,000 baht (S$195) to the family, Amarin TV reported.