9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

It doesn't need to blow a fuse to have enough current to kill a person.

Surely if the fuse blows, no current can go along that circuit. So it looks like it did not blow.

1 hour ago, wil iam not said:

Yes there is. Playing an electric guitar through a badly earthed amp, and singing down a mic in a PA System connected to the same mains socket. Many good musos have gone this way.

I've bought two amplifiers, and my first amp did not come with a grounded cable. I went around and around with the amp's manufacturer's customer service about this a few years back (highly recognizable brand name but you know how defamation laws are here so they'll remain unnamed). They insisted that the amp did not need a grounded cable. It would have cost them a few bucks to send me a grounded cable but they refuse (I was communicating with the head of customer service who quite literally blew me off) even though I was complaining of getting a mild shock off of the strings when playing - not good. I ended buying a cable off of Lazada - no more shocks. My studio outlets are all grounded.

There is a lesson - I will not purchase this manufacturer's gear any more. That's how you lose customers folks. Over a freaking $5 grounded electric cable.

My Ampeg amp came with both an grounded and ungrounded electric cable. Why you'd want to play ungrounded is beyond me? And I don't play during storms.

12 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

The whole idea of fuses, or Circuit Breakers as they are now known, are there to shut off the current if it exceeds the rating, 16amp, 30 amp, whatever. Obviously their's did not shut off the power, if they actually had any fitted, or any other safety stuff like Earth Leakage etc.

Hence my question, has anyone checked the fuse box? If installed there should be tell sign in box (or wiring) a lethal current has passed

2 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Surely if the fuse blows, no current can go along that circuit. So it looks like it did not blow.

The lightning strike to the house leaked through the lines into the man. Lightning passes too fast and fuses blow because it's overloaded for a longer time. The electricity from lightning also can pass through other sources in the house besides just the electrical line. The lightning that went through this line used the man as a median to the ground. Lightning looks for the fastest way to ground, which went through the man.

11 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Surely if the fuse blows, no current can go along that circuit. So it looks like it did not blow.

Lightening can arc from the ground and up through the electrical wires in a building. Ever been in an electrical storm before and felt the electricity and static in the air? That’s coming from the ground and an indicator of the potential for being zapped by the arcing. Next time an electrical storm passes by you, go in your room and curl in bed cover yourself with your blankey and keep your eyes closed.

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Sad accident, RIP to the victim of course. It is just a miracle that no more victims are there, as it seems that nobody cares when there is a thunderstorm. Ever zombie walks around with their mobile in their hands as nothing can be missed.

I was learned to remove all plugs from the sockets and turn everything of including internet and now phone, but I am just a silly old man perhaps.

Mobile phones, being mainly plastic and glass and using very low power batteries are of no danger when used during thunderstorms as they do not attract lightning, the problem comes when they're plugged into a charger at the same time.

6 hours ago, FlorC said:

Inside his home ?

That is weird.

Connected to the mains via a charger, not so weird.

6 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I do not think the phone had anything to do with it, just bad luck.

Why would a phone attract lightning more than any other metal object in the house?

Normally it would not be an issue but it was plugged into the mains!

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

The current can pass through the phone and into him. It usually happens with cheap chargers, as the better ones convert AC into DC. High humidity can increase the shock.

All phone chargers, not just the better ones, need to convert AC to DC as mobile phones will not charge using AC.

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

All phone chargers, not just the better ones, need to convert AC to DC as mobile phones will not charge using AC.

Mobile phones charge by DC, which is converted from the AC outlet into DC through the charger.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

ll phone chargers, not just the better ones, need to convert AC to DC as mobile phones will not charge using AC.

Mobile phones charge by DC, which is converted from the AC outlet into DC through the charger

I am well aware of that, thank you. My comment referred to your claim that "the better phone chargers" convert AC to DC; not only the better ones that do that, they all do.

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I am well aware of that, thank you. My comment referred to your claim that "the better phone chargers" convert AC to DC; not only the better ones that do that, they all do.

I went back to change that but it was too late as I was cooking, so this is what I meant, which I posted later..................Chargers convert the AC to DC for the phones. If the charger was cheap, it could have left out protective components that had the electrical charge going into the man as AC. I know they all convert the same way.

10 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Lightning passes too fast and fuses blow because it's overloaded for a longer time.

33 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Mobile phones charge by DC, which is converted from the AC outlet into DC through the charger.

You didn't say that in an earlier post, but yes, phones, and other chargeable pruducts, need DC @ 5volts.

54 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I went back to change that but it was too late as I was cooking, so this is what I meant, which I posted later..................Chargers convert the AC to DC for the phones. If the charger was cheap, it could have left out protective components that had the electrical charge going into the man as AC. I know they all convert the same way.

so what did you learn? Do not combine posting incorrectly on AN and cooking. What did you make?

5 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

You didn't say that in an earlier post, but yes, phones, and other chargeable pruducts, need DC @ 5volts.

so what did you learn? Do not combine posting incorrectly on AN and cooking. What did you make?

I posted and sent it, then went to make burritos. When I came back, I couldn't change it to include what I posted later.I know all chargers charge the same way. DC from AC, as they all have for a century.

4 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Never see lightening rods on Thai homes. Anyone know how come why not?

We have two - one at either end of the roof.

A typical lightning strike has up to 100 million to 1 billion volts and about 10,000 and 200,000 amperes no surge protector will guard against that. That said, lightening ground points around a building can re-direct the voltage to ‘’ground’…….I found mine completely severed at two points on the roof, so it did its job. But I fear most Thai houses, and possibly the rest of the world do not have a good ground system in place. When I built my house in (unspecified). I insisted in grounding all power points, and a roof to ground on all corners - Electrician said "No Need” “We don’t do that here” “Too much money, too much work" - I said if you don’t ground all power points and install the roof to ground like I want, I’ll find another electrician. I wound up firing him anyway as I inspected the house wire he was using, looked a lot like speaker wire to me. Turned out 10 years later, my roof to ground “too much work” worked. Peace

Wireless mobile phones (not plugged in) do not attract lightning. This is a long-standing myth. Mobile phones do not increase your risk of being struck by lightning.

Charging phones (plugged into a wall socket) are potentially dangerous because lightning can travel through the electrical wiring in your house and into the charger.

Maybe this was just bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

RIP to the poor guy!

15 hours ago, wil iam not said:

You didn't say that in an earlier post, but yes, phones, and other chargeable pruducts, need DC @ 5volts.

My phone uses a 15V 3A (45W) charger.

22 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Apparently either the phone nor the charger were damaged.

A different News outlet said his wife commented "From what I observed, the power outlet had a phone charger and a fan plugged in, but neither the phone nor the fan was damaged".

Also no mention of their house being on a hill or the highest one in the village.

I have a mate who built a house on top of a rise with no tall trees or utility poles nearby. His house has been struck three times. Plus once after he had lightning arrestors fitted to his roof.

No hills around Krasang. All flat country.

19 hours ago, wil iam not said:

The whole idea of fuses, or Circuit Breakers as they are now known, are there to shut off the current if it exceeds the rating, 16amp, 30 amp, whatever. Obviously their's did not shut off the power, if they actually had any fitted, or any other safety stuff like Earth Leakage etc.

Anything over 30 milliamps can kill.

On 5/31/2026 at 8:06 AM, Georgealbert said:

Moments later, a powerful flash of lightning occurred and a bright burst of light entered the house. Mr Rung was thrown backwards and collapsed. Ms Supitcha rushed to help him but said she felt what seemed to be an electrical current running through his body and instinctively pulled away.

Perhaps posters should explore 'step and touch potential' before making wild guesses.

Quite possibly it had nothing to do with phone or domestic wiring installation at all.

I've seen some great photos of multistory buildings with half their sides blown off due to lighting hitting the arrestors and the sudden and rapid intense heat causing major damage. Lighting arrestors can also be known as lighting attractors. Absolutely no need on a residential building.

23 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I do not think the phone had anything to do with it, just bad luck.

Why would a phone attract lightning more than any other metal object in the house?

The phone was still charging whilst he was using it thats how got him through the electricity cable I suspect.

9 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

The phone was still charging whilst he was using it thats how got him through the electricity cable I suspect.

Yes, the lightning probably melted the gobbins inside the charger, directing the 220v mains into the phone and his hand.

23 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I do not think the phone had anything to do with it, just bad luck.

Why would a phone attract lightning more than any other metal object in the house?

The phone itself isn’t supposed to be a problem but plugged in and connected to the house wiring it is dangerous. The house wiring becomes a conduit for the lightning.

12 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Yes, the lightning probably melted the gobbins inside the charger, directing the 220v mains into the phone and his hand.

Doesn’t necessarily work that way. Lightening can arc off of anything and doesn’t need a wire cable to deliver a zap.

This is entirely possible if the man was using a mobile phone that was plugged into a wall outlet and actively charging and lightning struck the power grid. While a standard, cordless mobile phone used indoors does not attract or conduct lightning, any electronic device connected directly to a home's electrical wiring becomes a dangerous conduit during a thunderstorm. That's why it's even advisable to disconnect your TV and computer from the power supply, at least that's what experts recommend. Not because of a possible electric shock, but because of the possible failure of electronic devices due to high voltage peaks.

On 5/31/2026 at 1:09 PM, Gecko123 said:

Never see lightening rods on Thai homes. Anyone know how come why not?

I can't answer that, but a friend had an electrical company in Bangkok and much of his company's work was a contract with the government, installing lightning rods on top of temples all over Thailand.

On 5/31/2026 at 12:42 AM, Off Piste said:

...........and the ones that obliviously keep swimming in the pool..........really........

More importantly being allowed to continue swimming in a pool... Even school pools!

On 5/31/2026 at 5:06 AM, Georgealbert said:

A 31-year-old man died after reportedly being struck by lightning while using his mobile phone inside his home during a thunderstorm in Buriram province, leaving his wife devastated and prompting renewed warnings about electrical safety during severe weather.

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The victim, Mr Rung Pliengklang, 31, from Bu Krasang subdistrict in Nong Ki district, died after the incident at his home. His funeral is being held at Wat Ban Nong Man in Bu Krasang, where relatives and local residents have gathered to pay their respects. The atmosphere at the temple was one of deep sorrow, with his wife, 29-year-old Ms Supitcha Somporn, remaining beside her husband’s coffin in tears.

According to Ms Supitcha, the incident occurred at approximately 8.30pm on 29 May. Her husband had cycled out to top up his internet credit before returning home and sitting down to use his mobile phone. At the time, heavy rain, lightning and thunder were continuing outside.

She said she repeatedly warned him to stop using the phone and disconnect the charger because of the storm. However, he ignored her concerns and continued using the device as normal.

Moments later, a powerful flash of lightning occurred and a bright burst of light entered the house. Mr Rung was thrown backwards and collapsed. Ms Supitcha rushed to help him but said she felt what seemed to be an electrical current running through his body and instinctively pulled away.

Emergency responders from the Nong Ki Rescue Association were called to the scene and attempted to assist him, but he later died from his injuries. Ms Supitcha said she noticed burn marks on her husband’s chest after the incident.

She believes the lightning strike may have been linked to him using and charging his mobile phone at the same time during the storm, although the exact cause has not been officially confirmed. The tragedy follows several recent lightning-related deaths reported in Thailand and has renewed concerns about safety during severe weather.

Amarin reported that Ms Supitcha urged others to learn from the incident and avoid using mobile phones during thunderstorms, even when indoors. Authorities have not released any further details regarding the circumstances of the lightning strike and are investigating the cause of death.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 31 May 2026

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The most likely cause was not the mobile phone signal attracting lightning as that I think is not possible.

He was probably electrocuted through the charger or house wiring while the phone was plugged into the mains.

If the wife felt electricity when she touched him after the flash, that suggests the body or charger may still have been live.

A lightning surge may have entered the house wiring and damaged the charger or socket.

Wet clothes, wet floor, poor earthing or no earthing, no RCD/ELCB, or a faulty charger would have made the situation far more dangerous.

So the phone itself was probably not the killer; the dangerous part was using it while it was charging during a storm.

The house looks really old and was probably wired decades ago with no modern protections we have today.

A Residual Current Device detects electricity leaking somewhere it should not go, such as through a person to earth, and cuts the power very quickly.

An Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker is the older/common name often used for a similar safety device, especially in places like Thailand.

21 hours ago, Explorator en Action said:

A typical lightning strike has up to 100 million to 1 billion volts and about 10,000 and 200,000 amperes no surge protector will guard against that. That said, lightening ground points around a building can re-direct the voltage to ‘’ground’…….I found mine completely severed at two points on the roof, so it did its job. But I fear most Thai houses, and possibly the rest of the world do not have a good ground system in place. When I built my house in (unspecified). I insisted in grounding all power points, and a roof to ground on all corners - Electrician said "No Need” “We don’t do that here” “Too much money, too much work" - I said if you don’t ground all power points and install the roof to ground like I want, I’ll find another electrician. I wound up firing him anyway as I inspected the house wire he was using, looked a lot like speaker wire to me. Turned out 10 years later, my roof to ground “too much work” worked. Peace

I had a house in Rayong built, I had three ping plugs installed and all grounded, I even saw him hammering in the vey long ground pole into the ground, the fuse box threw off if there was an electrical problem, some electricians are great, all the cables were in protective pipes etc, I did not bother with the roof to ground set up as there are a forest of large trees in front of the house 100 metres wide, they would have been first hit.