The body of Pornthep Boontee, 61, was found in the middle of the grass field at the back of his Moo 6 village in Tambon Ban Waeng by his neighbours after the rain let up.
Pornthep was lying dead beside a pole for tying up the cows; his cows had run away.
Neighbour Prasit Jakkham, 61, told police that the men normally tied their cows in the field every morning but he chose not to go out to the field because rain was coming. He said he saw Pornthep lead his cows to the field as usual.
An hour later when the rains stopped, he went to the field and found Pornthep’s body, Prasit said.
Police believe Pornthep tied his cows to the pole in the morning, then went to untie them as the rains were beginning, but lightning struck the pole and killed him.