Foreign media reported a tragic incident in Thailand where an 11-year-old boy secretly took his father's pickup truck and crashed into a procession of monks on pilgrimage, resulting in the deaths of nine monks and many injuries.
Several international outlets, including BBC and CNN, reported on the tragic event in Mukdahan province, Thailand, where an 11-year-old boy secretly drove his father's pickup truck and collided with a pilgrimage procession of 35 monks and 5 laypeople walking along the roadside, causing nine monks to die.
Images shared online showed scattered monk robes and belongings along the roadside, alongside a severely damaged vehicle. Local police reported that five monks died at the scene and four more passed away later at the hospital.
AFP news agency cited Thai police stating that the boy had taken the pickup truck without permission before losing control and crashing into the group of monks.
Police Major General Phairoj Thaiputra said authorities are currently considering legal procedures regarding the boy involved. “The suspect is a child, and the vehicle has been sent for forensic examination to determine the exact cause,” he said.
Later, Major General Phairoj told BBC Thai that the boy is under care by officials, including his guardians and his personal doctor. Preliminary information indicates the boy is a special-needs child, though further details remain unavailable.
Mukdahan Hospital announced an urgent blood donation drive to aid injured monks. Currently, three monks remain in critical condition, at least five are seriously injured, and others are receiving treatment for minor injuries.
Monk Somphong, one of the monks in the procession, recounted that they were chanting prayers before the accident occurred. Fortunately, he and another monk jumped aside in time. The nine monks leading the procession escaped unscathed, but others were thrown by the impact.
Police later added that initial investigations found no one was home except the boy, who had missed school due to illness. When his guardians realized the vehicle was missing, they promptly reported it to the police.
Mukdahan Governor Worayan Boonnarath stated that this case should serve as a broad warning about road safety across Thailand.
“In recent years, we have intensified road safety measures. This incident should be a lesson not just for our province but for the public in preventing road accidents,” the governor said.
“I believe everyone involved, especially parents and guardians, must work together to supervise their children, as no one wants incidents like this to happen,” he added.