Relatives are gradually claiming the bodies of the wandering monks at Mukdahan Hospital amid deep sorrow, while "Oi Saengsin" recounted the moment he received the phone call informing him of his father's passing, expressing deep grief.
On 3 July 2026, an 11-year-old special-needs boy lost control driving a pickup truck from his home and crashed into a group of wandering monks, resulting in 10 deaths and numerous injuries. The boy's mother reported to police that her son took the car keys and drove over 15 kilometers away on his own, asserting she never taught him to drive. Meanwhile, police coordinated with multidisciplinary experts to interview the boy to determine causes and proceed with legal action, as previously reported.
This morning, relatives of the deceased wandering monks arrived at Mukdahan Hospital, mostly from Nam Khun District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Among them was Oi Saengsin, who lost his father, Phra Ratchata Thongburan. Oi Saengsin flew into Nakhon Phanom Province and then traveled by car to Mukdahan Hospital to inquire about receiving the body.
Oi Saengsin, a Mor Lam singer, went to the accident site to perform a ritual to guide the spirit of his father, Phra Ratchata Thongburan Techavaro, back to his hometown before rescue personnel transported the body from Mukdahan Hospital to a temple in Nam Khun District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Oi Saengsin revealed that normally his father did not share much before going on a wandering monk journey, but he saw a post indicating his father planned to travel. His father had been ordained for two years. Oi was unsure if his father intended to disrobe but knew that his father felt at peace and wished to remain in the monk's robes. Their last conversation via chat was about sound equipment, as his father was practicing sermons and requested microphones and mixers, which Oi helped provide.
Regarding the accident, Oi said he learned of it when a friend called to inform him while he was still asleep and unaware. After the call, he could not reach his father and only later learned that his father had passed away.
Oi admitted he barely dared to look at footage of the incident. There had been no premonition before the accident. He did not want to blame the child involved but hoped the case would serve as an example regarding maturity. Whether or not the child's parents taught him to drive, Oi emphasized the importance of children having sufficient maturity before learning to drive.
Reports indicate that Mukdahan local agencies coordinated with rescue foundations to prepare for transporting the deceased monks' bodies. Over 10 rescue vehicles were arranged to return the bodies to their home provinces: six to Nam Khun District, Ubon Ratchathani; one to Fang District, Khon Kaen; two to Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima; and one to Yasothon Province.
CCTV footage shows that at 10:41 a.m., before the accident, the child drove the pickup truck from his home along the road, notably driving against traffic unlike a normal driver, heading toward the accident site. He struck the wandering monks walking by the roadside about 13 kilometers from this initial point. Another CCTV at Ban Na Kham Noi checkpoint recorded the vehicle speeding past the checkpoint.