Thailand: 8 Buddhist monks killed after pickup driven by 11-year-old crashes into pilgrims
Pickup truck ploughs into pilgrimage procession in Mukdahan province, leaving eight dead and 22 injured; child driver, said to have special needs, remains in custody pending questioning.
Eight Buddhist monks were killed, and 22 others were injured on Thursday when a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy crashed into a group of pilgrims walking through Thailand’s northeastern Mukdahan province, officials said.
The victims were among 34 monks and five lay followers from Mukdahan taking part in a 260-kilometre religious walk to a temple in Ubon Ratchathani province, roughly 600 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, according to Mukdahan Governor Worayan Bunnarat.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. Emergency medical personnel work at the site of a crash by a vehicle driven by an 11-year-old boy into a group of Buddhist monks along the roadside in Mukdahan, Thailand, July 2, 2026. (Photo: Ruamjai Mukdahan Rescue/via REUTERS)
Five monks died at the scene, and three more succumbed to injuries later in hospital, the governor said at a press conference. Twenty-two other monks and one layperson were also hurt in the crash; 14 of the injured were hospitalised, four of them in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Mukdahan Hospital as officials worked to notify relatives.
Major General Pairoj Thaiphutra said the young driver had taken the pickup truck from his family’s home and driven about 10 kilometres before ploughing into the procession of monks. Police described the boy as having special needs but gave no further details.
Viewer discretion advised: This video contains disturbing visuals
🇹🇭 An 11-year-old in northeastern Thailand drove his parents’ pickup truck into a single line procession of monks, killing 8 and seriously injuring 10 more today.
It’s not yet clear what led up to this horrendous tragedy.
Authorities have not filed any charges as the investigation continues. The child remains in custody but has not yet been questioned, as he is said to be in a state of shock; investigators plan to take his statement once state child protection officers arrive to assist.
Police are still examining what caused the crash. Preliminary accounts from monks who witnessed the incident indicate the truck was seen swerving before it veered off the road and into the group.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 injured after being hit by a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy while on a pilgrimage in Thailand’s northeastern province of Mukdahan https://t.co/f25JoNBzVfpic.twitter.com/o4FKGKKmcm
Further inquiries found that no one else had been home at the time of the incident besides the boy, who had stayed back from school that day because he was unwell. His guardians only realised the vehicle was missing afterward and alerted police.
Governor calls for wider road safety lessons
Governor Worayan said the case should serve as a broader warning about road safety across the country. “We’ve been very strict on road safety in recent years. This case should be a lesson not just for our province, but for the public in general when it comes to preventing road accidents,” he said.
Story continues below this ad
“I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs to help, because no one wants something like this to happen,” he added.
Thailand has one of the world’s highest road fatality rates.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. Emergency medical personnel work at the site of a crash by a vehicle driven by an 11-year-old boy into a group of Buddhist monks along the roadside in Mukdahan, Thailand, July 2, 2026. (Photo: Ruamjai Mukdahan Rescue/via REUTERS)