MUKDAHAN, Thailand
At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and over a dozen others injured when a pickup truck allegedly driven by an 11-year-old boy ploughed into a group of monks on a walking pilgrimage in Mukdahan on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time near Na Wiang Kae village in the Na Si Nuan subdistrict, along a main road (Highway 2034) leading toward Don Tan district. A child driver of a bronze-gold Isuzu pickup truck with Mukdahan license plates lost control and struck the procession of approximately 34 monks who were walking from Mukdahan city toward Ubon Ratchathani province.
According to Thai media reports, five monks died at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries later in a local hospital, bringing the death toll to eight. Thirteen monks were seriously injured and hospitalized, with around 20 others sustaining minor injuries or suffering from shock. Hospitals in Mukdahan and nearby areas treated the victims, with some reports mentioning urgent calls for blood donations.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the boy, described in some reports as a child with special needs, took his parents’ vehicle without permission and drove it recklessly before losing control. He has been detained at Mueang Mukdahan Police Station for further questioning, and authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the crash. Due to his age and potential disability he has not been identified and has not released a statement. It is unclear if the parents will be or could be charged in the incident.
Rescue workers, police, and emergency services responded quickly to the scene. One highway police officer who arrived initially mistook the aftermath for an emergency drill due to the number of injured monks lying on the road and roadside.
Buddhist monks in Thailand frequently undertake walking pilgrimages often traveling barefoot or with minimal possessions as a form of spiritual practice.
The investigation remains ongoing, with officials gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
