Heavy rain fell before lightning struck a cassava field in Udon Thani. Workers ran to take shelter under a large tree, resulting in one death and two critical injuries.
At approximately 15:20 on 17 May 2026, Police Lieutenant Sayant Chantapong, deputy investigator at Non Sa-at Police Station, Udon Thani Province, received a report of a lightning strike causing one death and two severe injuries at a cassava field south of Ban Non Samran, Village No. 6, Bung Kaeo Subdistrict, Non Sa-at District, Udon Thani. Rescue workers and highway police from the Non Sa-at service point were dispatched to assist.
At the scene, local residents who heard the news gathered to watch. Officials found the body of the deceased, Mr. Suna Anuwat, 69, from Udon Thani. Additionally, two others were critically injured: Mr. Wilai Sriut, 64, and Mr. Thinkorn Boonlang, 58. Villagers had already helped transport the injured to the hospital.
Initial investigation revealed that the deceased and the two injured, totaling three people, were working in the cassava field at the location. During a thunderstorm, they took shelter under a large tree when lightning struck the area, causing the critical injuries and fatality.