A Russian basketball player has died after being electrocuted on a field in Thailand.

Alexey Sobolev, 19, was jolted by a powerful electric shock when he accidentally touched a lamppost in a sports court in Pattaya city, Chonburi province, on December 15.

Onlookers said he had been playing a basketball game with his friends and went to retrieve the ball that had bounced near the stadium's iron fence.

Covered in sweat, he reached for the object but briefly came into contact with the lamppost, sending a deadly electric current coursing through his body.

The shock left the Russian athlete spasming on the ground while the other players ran to pull him away and called for help.

A rescue team arrived to an unconscious Alexey breathing heavily as he lay on the court. They furiously pumped his chest to administer CPR before rushing him to the hospital. However, Alexey tragically died from the severity of his injuries.

Police captain Yutthapol Boonkerd, Bang Lamung deputy investigator, said: 'The scene of the incident will be thoroughly examined. The group of athletes said the light poles around the stadium were damaged.'

Officers also found bundles of exposed electric wires around the field.

Police captain Yutthapol added: 'Those who come here to play need to be very careful as there are several light posts around the fence. We are still determining who is responsible for this incident.'