An 11-year-old boy driving a pickup truck crashed into a group of Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, July 2, 2026, killing eight and injuring 14 others. The accident occurred in Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.
Details of the Incident
According to The Associated Press, 35 monks from Mukdahan province were on a 260-kilometer pilgrimage to Ubon Ratchathani province. They had been walking for about 30 minutes when the truck struck them. Five monks died at the scene, and three others succumbed to injuries at a hospital, said Mukdahan Governor Worrayan Boonnarat. Fourteen others were hospitalized, with four in critical condition.
Security camera footage shared by the local rescue group Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association shows the monks walking in a single line on the side of the road before the truck veered off and crashed into them. Police said the cause of the accident is still under investigation, but monks told investigators they saw the vehicle swerving before impact.
Minor in Custody
Local police confirmed the minor is in custody and will be questioned when state child protection officers arrive. The boy's identity has not been released due to his age.
Thailand's Road Safety Record
Thailand has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world. According to the World Health Organization, it ranked as the world's second-deadliest for road traffic fatalities in its 2015 assessment. A 2026 report on VnExpress International noted that road accidents claimed 191 lives during the first five days of the Songkran holiday, with 951 accidents and 911 injuries from April 10 to 14. Speeding was the most common cause, accounting for 38.54% of accidents, followed by drink-driving.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Thailand, where dozens of deaths occur daily on the roads.
