Boy, 11, drives pickup into Buddhist monk pilgrimage in Thailand, killing eight

The crash

A group of 34 Buddhist monks and five lay followers were on a pilgrimage from a temple in Mukdahan province to Ubon Ratchathani province, a journey of about 260 kilometres. Around 30 minutes into the walk, a pickup truck veered off the road and struck the column of monks. Surveillance footage distributed by the local rescue organisation Ruam Jai Mukdahan shows the monks walking single file on the roadside moments before the vehicle hits them.

Five monks died at the scene, according to Mukdahan Governor Vorayan Bunarat. Three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Another 22 monks and one layperson were injured, including four who remain in critical condition. Witnesses described the pickup moving erratically and zigzagging before it left the carriageway.

The driver

Police identified the driver as an 11-year-old boy with special needs. Major General Pairoj Thaiphutra, the Mukdahan provincial police chief, said the child took the pickup truck from his family home without permission and drove about 10 kilometres before the accident. No charges have been filed yet; investigators are still establishing the circumstances. The boy remains in shock and has not been able to provide a statement.

“We have asked the child's parents to come forward so that we can establish who is responsible for his care, so that we can proceed with legal action.”

Officers are waiting for child protection officials before conducting a formal interrogation. The pickup truck has been seized.

Casualties and response

Mukdahan Hospital issued an urgent appeal for blood donations to treat the injured monks. Health authorities said four patients are critical, while many others are being treated for minor injuries. Among the survivors, some told police they saw the vehicle making sudden swerves and skidding seconds before it struck them.

The pilgrimage had only just begun when the accident occurred. The route, covering roughly 260 kilometres, was part of a religious walk from Mukdahan to Ubon Ratchathani.

Investigation

Police have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash. The child’s parents have been summoned, and officers are looking into supervisory responsibility. The pickup truck is being examined as part of the inquiry.