Nine Thai monks killed after 11‑year‑old driver collides with procession
An 11‑year‑old boy, driving his parents’ pickup truck without permission, lost control and struck a procession of Buddhist monks moving along a road in Mukdahan province. Nine monks died on the scene, while four others later succumbed to injuries in hospital. Several lay followers and additional monks were injured, with some suffering serious wounds.
Police authorities seized the vehicle and are conducting a forensic examination to determine the exact cause of the crash. Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said the boy, who is reportedly a child with special needs, is currently under the care of officials, guardians and a medical team. The incident has prompted calls for heightened road safety measures and increased parental vigilance.
Mukdahan Hospital has appealed for urgent blood donations to treat the injured monks, and three remain in critical condition. The provincial governor, Worayan Bunnarat, stressed that this tragedy serves as a warning about road safety and said it should prompt stricter enforcement of traffic laws across Thailand.
