Child Driver Crashes Truck Into Thai Buddhist Pilgrimage, Killing Dozens

An 11‑year‑old boy was behind the wheel of his parents’ pickup truck when it collided with a Buddhist pilgrimage procession on Thursday in Thailand’s northeastern Mukdahan province. The crash occurred as a group of monks and lay followers were walking along the roadside, resulting in a fatal toll among the religious participants.

Official statements from police and local authorities confirmed that the vehicle ploughed into the procession, killing at least eight monks and possibly nine, according to differing reports. The number of injured also varies: some sources cite more than 20 people wounded, while others mention around ten serious injuries. All accounts agree that the majority of the victims were monks, with a handful of lay followers also affected.

The procession, comprising roughly 35 monks and five lay followers, was part of a traditional pilgrimage route in the region. Witnesses said the truck entered the path of the walkers without warning, leaving little time for anyone to avoid the impact. Emergency services arrived quickly, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Thai police opened an investigation into the incident, focusing on how an 11‑year‑old was able to operate the vehicle. Authorities have not yet released details about the boy’s legal guardians or whether any charges will be filed. The incident has prompted calls from local religious leaders for stricter enforcement of traffic safety measures during religious events.

The tragedy has sparked a wave of condolences across Thailand, with the Ministry of Culture expressing sorrow for the loss of the monks and urging the public to respect religious processions. Buddhist leaders have called for prayers for the victims and for the swift recovery of those injured.