An 11-year-old boy drove his parents' pickup truck into a Buddhist procession in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, killing at least nine monks and injuring several others. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time in Mukdahan province, approximately 650 kilometers from Bangkok.
Details of the crash
CCTV footage shared by a local rescue group shows the monks, wearing orange robes, walking in procession along a road when the truck struck them. The governor of Mukdahan province, Vorayan Bunarat, said a group of 34 Buddhist monks and five lay followers had been on a pilgrimage from one temple in the province to another in neighboring Ubon Ratchathani.
Bunarat reported that five monks died at the scene and three in hospital. The Mukdahan provincial office later announced the death of a ninth monk. At least three others were critically injured. Images from the scene showed people lying injured and the monks' possessions strewn across the road.
Police investigation
Police said the boy had taken his parents' pickup truck without permission and had driven it for about 10 kilometers before losing control and crashing into the monks. The provincial police chief, Maj Gen Pairoj Thaiphutra, said no charges have been filed yet as investigators are still trying to establish the circumstances of the crash. Officers have not been able to question the boy because he remains in a state of shock and is unable to provide a statement.
Context and impact
Buddhist monks are highly venerated in Thailand, where more than 93% of the population are followers of the religion. Monks often hold public processions and are widely seen receiving alms. Signage on public transport asks people to provide seats to monks as well as elderly and pregnant passengers.
Deadly transport accidents are common in Thailand, which has one of the worst road safety records in the world, with speeding, drink-driving, and weak law enforcement all contributing factors. Bunarat said: "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. I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs to help, because no one wants something like this to happen."
