A truck driven by an 11-year-old boy struck a group of Buddhist monks participating in a procession in Mukdahan province in northeastern Thailand. The incident occurred shortly before 11am local time on Thursday, according to CCTV footage obtained by a local rescue group. The monks, wearing orange robes, were participating in a pilgrimage from a temple in Mukdahan province to another temple in the neighboring province of Ubon Ratchathani. The group consisted of 34 Buddhist monks and five lay followers.
At least nine monks were killed in the collision. Provincial officials reported that five monks died at the scene, three died after being transported to hospitals, and a ninth monk was declared dead by the provincial office. At least three additional monks sustained critical injuries. Images from the scene showed multiple people lying injured along the roadway, with monks’ belongings scattered across the road.
Police statements indicated that the boy had taken his parents’ pickup truck without permission and drove it approximately 6 miles before losing control of the vehicle. The provincial police chief stated that investigators were still establishing the precise circumstances of the crash and had not filed charges at the time of reporting. Officers were unable to question the boy immediately following the incident, as he remained in a state of shock and could not provide a statement.
Buddhist monks hold significant cultural status in Thailand, where more than 93% of the population follows the religion. Public processions involving monks are common, and various social customs reflect their venerated position within the society. Officials from Mukdahan province characterized the incident as a road safety concern, noting Thailand’s ongoing challenges with traffic accidents, which officials attributed to factors including speeding, drink-driving, and enforcement issues.
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