A driver, identified as an 11-year-old boy, lost control of a pickup truck, crashing into a group of Buddhist monks walking in a religious procession in northeastern Thailand's Mukdahan province on Thursday.
The incident resulted in the deaths of nine monks, with initial reports indicating that five died at the scene and four more succumbed to their injuries while receiving medical treatment. An unspecified number of others sustained injuries, with some reported in critical condition.
The vehicle, a pickup truck belonging to the boy's parents, was reportedly taken without permission. Preliminary investigations suggest the child may have special needs, though details remain unconfirmed. The boy was reportedly at home, having not attended school due to illness, when the crash occurred. Authorities are examining the legal implications for the juvenile.
The procession, comprised of approximately 35 monks and five lay followers, was engaged in a pilgrimage walk between two temples in Mukdahan province. The walk, spanning about 260 kilometers towards Ubon Ratchathani province, had commenced shortly before the collision.
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This tragic event has prompted calls for increased road safety awareness, with provincial governor Worayan Bunnarat emphasizing the incident as a stark reminder. Viral video footage circulating online captures the moment the truck veered into the procession, showing debris and the damaged vehicle scattered across the roadway. The cause of the loss of control is under investigation, though witnesses described the vehicle swerving prior to the crash.
