Eight Thai monks killed after 11-year-old drives truck into procession

Eight Thai monks killed after 11-year-old drives truck into procession

An 11-year-old boy drove his parents' pickup truck into a Buddhist pilgrimage procession in north-eastern Thailand on Thursday, July 2, 2026, killing eight monks and injuring more than 20 others.

The procession consisted of 35 monks from Mukdahan province and five lay followers. The group had begun a 260-kilometer walk toward Ubon Ratchathani province approximately 30 minutes before the crash occurred. They were walking in a single line along a roadside in Mukdahan province when the vehicle struck them.

Five monks died at the scene, while three others later died in the hospital, according to Mukdahan Governor Worayan Bunnarat. Other sources, including police and reports from the BBC and Yahoo, stated that nine monks died, with five at the site and four in the hospital.

Phra Sompong, a monk in the procession, described the moments leading up to the impact in a video shared by local rescue workers. He stated he was chanting the meditation mantra Buddho, Buddho when he saw a boy approaching in a pickup truck.

"Then suddenly the truck hit at full speed and crashed us like this," he said. "Luckily another monk and I managed to jump out of the way in time. The first nine monks in line survived. But others who were hit were thrown into the air."

Phra Sompong, monk, via local rescue workers

Health authorities reported that four monks were in critical condition at Mukdahan Hospital and 10 others were seriously injured, though other reports indicate three monks remained in critical condition and at least five others were seriously hurt. Mukdahan Hospital has issued an appeal for urgent blood donations to treat the victims.

Police investigations revealed the 11-year-old boy took the vehicle without his parents' permission. Initial inquiries found that the boy was the only person home at the time of the incident because he was unwell and had not attended school. His guardians notified police after realizing the vehicle was missing.

Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa, commander of the Mukdahan Provincial Police, stated the vehicle was taken for forensic examination. He later told BBC Thai that the boy was being cared for by a doctor, guardians, and officials, adding that preliminary information suggests the child has special needs.

CCTV footage from a nearby property captured the procession walking as other vehicles passed by, followed by the sound of a loud crash. Monks told police the vehicle appeared to be swerving before it slid off the road and hit the group.

Governor Worayan Bunnarat said the tragedy should serve as a lesson for the public and parents regarding road safety. He noted that Thailand has one of the worst road safety records in the world, driven by factors such as weak law enforcement, drunk driving, and speeding.

"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," Mr. Bunnarat said.

Worayan Bunnarat, Mukdahan provincial governor, via AFP

The boy is currently in custody. Police have summoned the child's parents to determine who is responsible for his care to facilitate the legal process. He is expected to be questioned upon the arrival of state child protection officers.