Pregnant Woman and Friend Killed by Lightning Strike in Sisaket Field

Picture courtesy of Amarin

A pregnant woman and a male were killed after being struck by lightning in the middle of a field while helping to harvest eucalyptus trees for sale.

The incident occurred on 14 May in Ban Jai Dee, Moo 10, Jai Dee Subdistrict, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province. Both victims suffered severe injuries and were rushed to Khukhan Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

The victims were identified as Mr Chanon Mooljad 36 and Ms Uraiwan Potthisan 35, who was more than seven months pregnant. They had been assisting with cutting down eucalyptus trees intended for sale when the fatal lightning strike occurred.

At the scene evidence of the strike was visible beneath a tree in the middle of the field. Two pairs of shoes and some blood were found at the site. The tree showed clear signs of having been struck, with broken branches scattered around.

Mr Narongrit Chanthong, 30, the husband of Ms Uraiwan, recounted the heartbreaking sequence of events. He explained that he had contracted to cut and sell eucalyptus trees for 5,000 baht and had brought his pregnant wife and a friend to assist. During a rain shower, he had gone to deliver a load of wood to a buyer. Upon returning to the field, he found both his wife and his friend lying unconscious beneath the tree.

He immediately called emergency services and the Sawangjit Sisaket Thammasathan Foundation’s Khukhan unit for help. Despite attempts to revive the victims and rushing them to hospital, both succumbed to their injuries.

Investigators from Khukhan Police Station have since visited the site to collect evidence and begin a full inquiry into the incident.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-15.