At least nine dead after boy, 11, crashes pickup truck into group of travelling monks

A tragic incident unfolded in northeastern Thailand earlier today when an 11-year-old boy drove his parents' pickup truck into a Buddhist pilgrimage procession, leaving nine monks dead and approximately 10 others with serious injuries.

The collision occurred in Mukdahan province, close to the border with Laos, shortly before midday on Thursday.

The youngster had taken the bronze Isuzu vehicle from his family home without permission before travelling roughly six miles and ploughing into the group of religious walkers.

Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene, with three more succumbing to their injuries in hospital. A ninth monk was later confirmed dead by the Mukdahan provincial office.

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Police have taken the boy into custody whilst investigations continue into the cause of the crash.

The monks were part of a group of 35 religious figures and five lay followers undertaking a pilgrimage from Mukdahan to a temple in Ubon Ratchathani province, a journey spanning approximately 160 miles.

They had been walking in single file along the roadside, carrying alms collected during their spiritual trek, when the vehicle struck them.

Phra Sompong, one of the survivors, recounted the horrifying moment to local media, saying: "I saw a boy driving a pickup truck, approaching. At that moment I was chanting 'Buddho, Buddho'."

"Then suddenly the truck hit at full speed and crashed us. Luckily another monk and I managed to jump out of the way in time."

He added the first nine monks in the procession survived, but those behind them were thrown into the air upon impact.

Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa, commander of Mukdahan Provincial Police, confirmed the vehicle has been seized for forensic analysis to establish what caused the collision.

"The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause," he told reporters.

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Authorities are attempting to locate the boy's parents to establish who bears responsibility for his care before proceeding with legal matters.

The youngster reportedly remains in a state of shock and has not yet been formally interviewed. Child protection officers will be present when investigators take his statement.

No charges have been filed whilst the inquiry continues. Under Thai law, children below the age of 12 cannot be held criminally liable.

Witnesses among the monks reported seeing the pickup swerving before it left the road and struck the procession.

Mukdahan Governor Worayan Bunnarat urged the incident should serve as a broader lesson regarding road safety across the country.

"I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs to help, because no one wants something like this to happen," he said.

Thailand consistently ranks among the nations with the worst road safety records globally, with excessive speed, drink-driving and inadequate enforcement all contributing factors.

Buddhist pilgrimages traditionally require monks to walk lengthy distances in silence and single file as a means of quieting the mind and fostering humility.

However, this practice carries inherent dangers, as participants must traverse busy highways alongside fast-moving traffic.

A similar tragedy occurred in December 2024 when a monk was killed after a lorry collided with a car in the coastal city of Rayong.

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