Thai men credit Buddhist amulets for surviving lightning strike

Two men miraculously survived a lightning strike, attributing their escape to the Buddhist amulets they wore. Local reporters investigated the incident on July 17 and met the men who showcased the amulets they believe saved their lives.

Yesterday, around 11:30 a.m., 50-year-old Tawint and 31-year-old Pradit, employees of a private company in Lampang, were conducting a training session for farmers at a multipurpose building in Mae Chai district, Phayao province.

The session focused on fertilizer use. A thunderstorm erupted as they were wrapping up and packing away their materials. Suddenly, lightning struck both men on their right shoulders, causing severe pain in their backs, legs, and feet.

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Villagers immediately poured white alcohol on the affected areas, providing relief. Despite the intense pain, the two men managed to drive away from the scene, heading towards a friend in Chiang Kham district. However, upon reaching the Dok Kham Tai district, they started experiencing heart palpitations, chest pain, and numbness in their limbs.

Concerned for their health, they visited Dok Kham Tai Hospital, where doctors conducted a thorough examination, including blood tests and an electrocardiogram. The initial medical report indicated no external injuries from the lightning strike but noted numbness in their bodies and feet.

Tawint’s unwavering faith in his Thao Wessuwan amulet from Wat Sri Lom in Lampang, which he has carried for over 10 years, is a testament to the depth of his belief in its protective powers.

Pradit credited his survival to a Somdej Buddha image, which was made at Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan in Mae Suai, Chiang Rai, and has been encased and worn by him for a long time.

He strongly believes the amulet’s protective power saved him.

While the scientific community might seek explanations for the unique circumstances of the lightning strike, Tawint and Pradit’s faith in their Buddhist amulets is a testament to Thai society’s cultural and spiritual fabric.