Deadly Crash Hits Pilgrimage Group
Eight Buddhist monks were killed in Thailand after an 11-year-old boy drove a pickup truck into a religious procession.
The tragic incident happened on Thursday in Mukdahan province in northeastern Thailand.
Police said a group of 35 monks and five lay followers was walking along a roadside during a pilgrimage when the truck crashed into them.
Five monks died at the scene. Three others later died in hospital.
At least 10 more people were injured. Rescue teams shifted the wounded to Mukdahan Hospital for treatment.
The crash has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about road safety and child access to vehicles.
Police Say Boy Took Parents’ Truck Without Permission
Police identified the driver as an 11-year-old boy.
According to investigators, the child allegedly took his parents’ pickup truck without permission.
Police said the boy later lost control of the vehicle and drove into the procession.
Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said the vehicle has been taken for forensic examination. He said investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Authorities have also summoned the child’s parents for questioning.
Police said they need to determine who was responsible for the child’s care at the time of the incident.
Legal proceedings will continue after investigators complete their initial findings.
Governor Calls Incident a Road Safety Warning
Emergency medical teams and rescue workers reached the scene soon after the crash.
The injured were taken to hospital as authorities began examining the vehicle and collecting evidence.
Mukdahan provincial governor Worayan Bunnarat said the case should serve as a warning for the wider public.
He said road safety rules must be taken seriously. He also urged parents to play a stronger role in preventing similar tragedies.
The governor said no one wants such an incident to happen again.
Thailand has made efforts in recent years to improve road safety. However, fatal accidents remain a major concern in many parts of the country.
The deaths of the monks have added fresh urgency to calls for better supervision, responsible vehicle ownership, and stricter safety awareness.
The investigation is still underway.
