Nine monks killed after 11-year-old crashes pickup into Thai procession

BANGKOK: Nine Buddhist monks were killed in northeastern Thailand on Thursday after an 11-year-old boy drove his parents’ pickup truck into a roadside religious procession, according to police and provincial authorities.

The incident took place in Mukdahan province, where 35 monks and five lay followers were taking part in a pilgrimage along a road when the vehicle struck them. Police said five monks died at the scene, while three others later died in hospital. The Mukdahan provincial office subsequently announced the death of a ninth monk.

Health authorities had earlier said four monks were in critical condition and 10 others had suffered serious injuries, while additional people were being treated for less severe wounds. Police said the child had taken the truck without his parents’ permission before losing control and crashing into the group.

One monk, identified as Phra Sompong, described the moment of impact in a video shared online by local rescue workers.

“I saw a boy driving a pickup truck, approaching. At that moment I was chanting ‘Buddho, Buddho’ (a meditation mantra),” he stated.

“Then suddenly the truck hit at full speed and crashed us”, he added.

Phra Sompong said he and another monk were able to avoid the vehicle.

“Luckily another monk and I managed to jump out of the way in time,” he added.

He further said “The first nine monks in line survived. But others who were hit were thrown into the air.”

CCTV footage from a nearby property showed the monks walking along the roadside as other vehicles passed by. A loud crash was then heard before the procession came to a halt.

Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa, commander of the Mukdahan Provincial Police, told reporters the vehicle had been taken for forensic examination.

“The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause,” he stated.

“We’ve asked the child’s parents to come in so we can determine who is responsible for the child’s care, so we can go on with legal process”, he added.

Mukdahan City Police chief Prayut Ruanthongkam told AFP by telephone that the driver was an 11-year-old boy. Under Thai law, children younger than 12 cannot be held criminally liable.

Mukdahan Governor Worayan Bunnarat said the case should serve as a warning about road safety in the province and beyond. Thailand has one of the world’s worst road safety records, with speeding, drunk driving and weak law enforcement cited as contributing factors in frequent deadly transport accidents.

“We’ve been very strict on road safety in recent years. This case should be a lesson not just for our province, but for the public in general when it comes to preventing road accidents”, he stated.

He added “I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs to help, because no one wants something like this to happen.”

Buddhist monks are widely revered in Thailand and are regarded as custodians of the Buddha’s teachings. Public processions are common, and monks are often seen receiving alms from members of the public.