An 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into a group of Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday (July 2), killing nine people and injuring several others. The crash took place in Mukdahan province, about 372 miles northeast of Bangkok, as the monks walked in a single line along the side of the road.
According to officials cited by the Mukdahan provincial administration, five monks died at the scene, while four others died at a hospital after the accident. Fourteen additional monks were hospitalized, with four in critical condition. In total, 35 monks from Mukdahan province had begun a 161-mile pilgrimage to Ubon Ratchathani province about 30 minutes before the incident occurred.
Security camera footage shared by the Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association showed the monks walking peacefully before the vehicle suddenly veered off the road and crashed into the group. Police stated that the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Some monks reported seeing the pickup truck swerving before it left the roadway and struck them.
Authorities confirmed that the 11-year-old driver is now in custody. He will be questioned once state child protection officers arrive, as standard protocol for minors involved in such incidents. The local police emphasized that the investigation into how the boy came to be driving and the precise circumstances of the accident is ongoing.
Photographs released by Phu Manorom temple showed the monks earlier in the day, gathering for food and posing for group pictures before their journey began. The tragedy has shocked the community and drawn attention to road safety and child protection concerns in the region.
Investigators will continue to examine the cause of the crash and determine if any charges will be filed. Further updates are expected as authorities complete their inquiry.
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