The grandfather recounted the time before the incident, saying the 11-year-old was alone with his grandmother. He is still shocked by what happened and insists his grandson cannot drive.
Regarding the tragic accident in Mukdahan province where an "11-year-old" drove a pickup truck that struck "wandering monks," resulting in 8 deaths and 4 serious injuries, the Mukdahan governor provided an update stating that the deceased monks will each receive 500,000 baht in compensation, as previously reported.The Mukdahan governor announced the tragic accident where a pickup truck hit wandering monks, causing 8 deaths and 4 serious injuries.)
On 2 July 2026, reporters met with the grandfather of the 11-year-old boy, who revealed that when his grandson took the vehicle, he was not at home. The boy was alone with his grandmother, who was preparing goods to sell at the market. The grandfather said he did not know how the boy got the keys. After getting into the vehicle, the boy drove off, locking the door from inside. The grandmother tried to open the door, but the boy had it locked. After he drove off, she tried to follow, but the accident occurred first.
"Today, my grandson did not go to school because he had a cold. His mother went to farm at Khok, and I was also farming. The boy stayed with his grandmother, who was preparing crushed yanang leaves to sell at the market. Regarding the car keys, I don’t know since I wasn’t there. But I insist my grandson cannot drive, and we are all wondering how he managed to drive off," said the 11-year-old’s grandfather.
Monk Apirak, one of the wandering monks involved in the accident, stated that the group consisted of monks from Nam Khun district. Before the Buddhist Lent, they were on a pilgrimage returning to the temple in Nam Khun district, totaling 34 monks and 5 laypeople. In the morning, after walking about 6-7 kilometers from the temple, a gold pickup truck suddenly charged at them. Four monks at the front, including himself, managed to dodge in time. When he looked back, he saw monks being hit and swept away. Initially, five monks died on the spot, and three more later died at the hospital.