A horrifying accident in Thailand's northeastern Mukdahan province has left nine Buddhist monks dead after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy ploughed into a religious procession on Thursday. Several others in the group were left seriously injured.
Procession Turns Deadly on the Roadside
According to police, a total of 35 Buddhist monks and five devotees were taking part in a religious foot pilgrimage when the accident occurred. The group was walking peacefully along the side of the road when a speeding pickup truck slammed into them without warning. Videos that surfaced online afterward showed saffron robes and belongings strewn across the road, along with a badly damaged vehicle, a stark reminder of the force of the collision. Police said five monks died at the scene, while four more succumbed to their injuries later in hospital. The boy had taken the pickup without permission and lost control of the vehicle while driving, causing it to plough straight into the group of monks.
A Monk's Account: Chanting Before the Impact
Phra Sompong, a monk who was part of the group, said he was chanting the meditation mantra Buddho, Buddho moments before the crash. In a video posted online by local rescue workers, he recounted his ordeal.
I saw a boy driving a pickup truck coming towards us... then suddenly the truck hit us at full speed and gave us a huge jolt. Luckily, another monk and I managed to move out of the way in time. The nine monks walking at the front of the line survived, but the others who were hit were thrown into the air.
Police Weigh Next Steps Against the Boy
Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said authorities were still working out how to proceed legally in the boy's case.
The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken away for forensic investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Thaiphutsa later told BBC Thai that the boy is currently being looked after by a team of officials, including his guardians and doctors. He added that initial information suggests the child has special needs, though no further details have emerged so far.
Police investigations also found that no one else was at home besides the boy before the accident; he had stayed home from school that day because he was unwell. His guardians alerted police as soon as they realised the vehicle was missing.
Hospitals Appeal for Blood as Injured Monks Remain Critical
Mukdahan Hospital has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations to help the injured monks. Health officials said three monks remain in critical condition, while at least five others have suffered serious injuries. The rest are being treated for minor injuries.
Revered Monks, and a Governor's Warning on Road Safety
Buddhist monks are held in especially high regard in Thailand, entrusted with preserving and passing on the Buddha's teachings. Public processions of monks are a common sight, and people frequently offer them donations such as food and daily essentials as a mark of respect.
Mukdahan province governor Worayan Boonrat described the accident as a major warning for road safety in Thailand.
This case should be a lesson, not just for our province but for the public at large, when it comes to preventing road accidents. In recent years we have been very strict about road safety. I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs support, because no one wants something like this to happen.
