Buriram — Relatives and villagers remain puzzled about how a 31-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning while sitting inside his own home. The deceased's wife recounted the moment before the incident, seeing a flash of lightning and revealing that she had warned her husband not to use his phone.
On 30 May 2026, it was reported that Mr. Rung Plienklang, 31, from Bukrasang Subdistrict, Nong Ki District, Buriram Province, was fatally struck by lightning around 20:30 on the night of 29 May during heavy rain.
The incident shocked villagers and those who heard the news because it happened inside the victim's own home, where he was simply using his phone when struck by lightning. This differs from typical lightning strikes, which usually occur in open fields or near large trees. Villagers wonder if there was something unusual since a residence is generally considered the safest place from lightning.
Ms. Supitcha Somporn, 29, the victim's wife, said she saw it with her own eyes and still can't come to terms with it. At the time, she had turned off most lights, leaving only a single dim bulb on.
She saw her husband sitting and using his phone while it was charging. Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong thunder continued intermittently. She warned him to be careful. Her husband looked at her and replied, “Huh?” (meaning "It's okay"). Then, in a split second, a bright flash shot into the room, illuminating it intensely, followed by a loud thunderclap. Her husband collapsed, convulsing on the floor, gasping several times before ultimately dying in front of her and their child.
“I admit that I had never heard of lightning striking directly inside a person’s home before. 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. However, the electric current went into my husband’s body. Going forward, I don’t know how we can live here without fear because I don’t know if there is something under the house that caused the lightning to strike so severely.”