Thai nurse defies Buddhist custom to save monks in deadly crash

Thai nurse defies Buddhist custom to save monks in deadly crash

A veteran nurse in Mukdahan province, Thailand, challenged long-standing Buddhist customs to provide emergency medical care after a pickup truck plowed into a religious procession on July 2, 2026.

The collision occurred when an 11-year-old boy took his parents' pickup truck without permission and drove at speed into a group consisting of 35 monks and five lay followers. Video of the incident has circulated online, showing the vehicle smashing through the crowd and throwing several robed individuals into the air.

Wiwat Laonoi, a 61-year-old nurse with nearly four decades of experience, was the first responder at the scene. She began treating victims despite a Buddhist taboo that prohibits physical contact between women and monks.

"People told me, 'Wait, that's a monk!', but I said it doesn't matter, right now, this is a patient,"

Wiwat Laonoi, nurse, via AFP

Wiwat described the accident as "massive" and stated she had "never seen anything like it." Because no other responders had arrived, she reported that she "had to stay clear-headed." She moved quickly between victims to check pulses, perform CPR, and coordinate with a local hospital.

Parichat Kochakueng, a hospital employee traveling with Wiwat, filmed the rescue efforts. Parichat described the scene as "really scary" with "a lot of monks laying on the road."

The casualty figures from the crash vary across reports. Some sources state 10 monks died, with five at the scene and five later in the hospital. Other reports cite nine deaths, noting five died at the scene and four passed away in the hospital. Another report indicates eight monks lost their lives.

As of July 3, 10 other people remained hospitalized. Reports on their condition differ: some state two are in critical condition and eight have non-life-threatening injuries, while another report indicates eight monks are hospitalized with three in critical condition.

Mukdahan Hospital has issued an urgent request to the public for blood donations to assist the injured monks.

Regarding the driver, Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa told the BBC that the 11-year-old suspect is a child with special needs. The boy does not attend school because he is "unwell." According to police, the child's guardians were not home when the vehicle was taken and reported it missing upon their return. The suspect is currently being cared for by guardians and a doctor as authorities determine the next course of action.

Wiwat, who is from Mukdahan province, expressed pride in using her professional knowledge to help other human beings. She is scheduled to retire in September and intends to continue volunteering in communities that have limited medical care.