A charity football day on Saturday, August 1, turned to horror when 13-year-old Nanthaphat Boonplod died after a lightning jellyfish sting off Sichon’s Ban Fai Tha Beach. Two friends and a villager were also stung in a frantic rescue attempt.
A charity football fundraiser on a quiet beach in southern Nakhon Si Thammarat province on Saturday ended in unimaginable tragedy when 13-year-old schoolboy Nanthaphat Boonplod died after a lightning jellyfish sting only metres from shore. As two friends and a villager were injured trying to save him, witnesses described a frantic rescue surrounded by several jellyfish, ending in a fatal race to hospital. The first known jellyfish death in the Sichon area, coupled with the species’ unusually early appearance months before its normal season, has triggered fresh safety warnings and shocked a coastal community suddenly mourning one of its most promising young footballers.
A charity football event on a quiet Nakhon Si Thammarat beach on Saturday, August 1 ended in tragedy when a 13-year-old schoolboy died after a lightning jellyfish sting.
In parallel, two friends and a villager were injured trying to reach him in the water. The incident unfolded only about 10 metres from shore. Authorities have since urged swimmers to exercise greater caution.
The victim was identified as Nanthaphat Boonplod, known as “Jao New.” He was a Grade 7 student at Sichon Khunatharn Witthaya School. The fatal incident happened on the evening of August 1 at Ban Fai Tha Beach in Thung Sai Subdistrict, Sichon District.
Later examinations found sting marks across his chest, neck and arms. In addition, two bite marks were recorded on the back of his left arm.
School football fundraiser ends in tragedy as lightning jellyfish strikes just metres from Sichon shoreline
Earlier, Nanthaphat had joined a charity football penalty shootout raising money for the local community. Afterwards, he and about 20 friends headed into the sea for a swim.
They remained close to the beach. However, the outing suddenly turned into a desperate rescue operation. According to witnesses, Nanthaphat cried out after being stung by a lightning jellyfish.
Within moments, panic spread through the group. Two friends swimming beside him were also stung. One suffered injuries to both arms. Another was stung on the calf. Meanwhile, a villager who rushed into the water to help sustained a sting to one arm. All three later recovered and are now safe.
Among those injured was 13-year-old Nattaporn Tomudo, one of Nanthaphat’s closest friends. Recalling the ordeal, he said the victim shouted for help after being stung. Without delay, he swam towards him. Instead, he found three or four jellyfish surrounding his friend. Seconds later, Nanthaphat collapsed unconscious in the water.
Friend finds three or four jellyfish circling victim before frantic rescue and fatal race to Sichon Hospital
Nattaporn immediately raced back to shore searching for help. Fortunately, an ambulance was already stationed at the event. By the time rescuers reached the teenager, he was unconscious and foaming at the mouth. Emergency crews rushed him to Sichon Hospital. Despite emergency treatment, doctors could not save him.
As news spread across Sichon, relatives, classmates and neighbours gathered to mourn the teenager. Reporters later visited Wat Prathumthaykaram in Sichon Subdistrict, where funeral rites were under way.
The atmosphere was marked by deep sadness. Nanthaphat had been living with his grandparents. He was widely recognised as a gifted footballer and had won numerous awards in youth competitions. His cremation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5.
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Separately, community leaders expressed surprise at the timing of the deadly encounter. Mr. Rahem Nuan, imam of the Darul Ibadah Mosque in Ban Fai Tha, said this type of lightning jellyfish normally appears in November. This year, however, they were found in August. He also said there had never previously been a fatal jellyfish sting in the Sichon area.
In response, local officials renewed warnings for residents and visitors entering the sea. Four people were stung during the same incident. Nevertheless, only Nanthaphat lost his life. Authorities are now urging swimmers to remain vigilant following the unusually early appearance of the lightning jellyfish along the Sichon coastline.
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