Eight monks killed after pickup truck driven by child crashes into pilgrimage in Thailand

Eight Buddhist monks were killed and at least 13 others were seriously injured after a pickup truck crashed into a group undertaking a walking pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, 2 July.

The collision occurred at about 12:00 p.m. on a roadside in Ban Na Si Nuan, Mueang district, Mukdahan province. Police said five monks died at the scene, while three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, raising the death toll to eight.

Emergency responders, police officers and medical personnel rushed to the scene after receiving reports that a vehicle had struck the procession.

According to local media, rescue workers found injured monks lying on the road and along the roadside. The severity of the collision prompted a large-scale emergency response involving police, rescue organisations and hospital staff.

Thirteen injured monks were transported to nearby medical facilities, including Mukdahan Hospital, where they received emergency treatment. Authorities said several of those injured sustained serious injuries.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the pickup truck was allegedly being driven by an 11-year-old boy.

According to police and reports by local media, the child had allegedly taken the vehicle without permission from a parent or guardian before losing control and crashing into the group of monks.

Police have taken the child to Mueang Mukdahan Police Station while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Authorities have not announced whether any charges will be pursued, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The group consisted of 34 monks on a tudong pilgrimage and five lay followers travelling on foot from Mukdahan town towards Ubon Ratchathani at the time of the crash. 

The monks were undertaking a tudong pilgrimage, a traditional Buddhist practice in which monks travel long distances on foot while observing strict monastic discipline and meditation.

Police said the crash happened as the monks were walking along the roadside during their journey.

A highway police officer who encountered the aftermath said he initially believed the incident was part of an emergency exercise.

After realising the scale of the collision, the officer coordinated with local police, hospitals and rescue workers to organise treatment for the injured and secure the area.

Police said Pol Col Prayut Rueanthongkham, superintendent of Mueang Mukdahan Police Station, was alerted by local residents that a vehicle had struck monks participating in the pilgrimage.

Pol Col Prayut directed Pol Maj Wanlop Phothiwang, an inquiry officer at the station, to travel to the scene and oversee the initial investigation.

Emergency teams from Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue, the Mukdahan Charity Foundation, Mukdahan Hospital and traffic police were also dispatched.

Investigators found several injured monks along the roadside when they arrived.

Nearby, officers located the suspected vehicle, described as a bronze-gold Isuzu single-cab pickup truck bearing Mukdahan licence plate BT-1944.

Police said the front of the pickup truck had sustained visible damage consistent with a significant impact.

Authorities secured the scene while investigators documented evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Police have not yet announced whether speed, road conditions, driver error or any mechanical issues contributed to the collision.

Investigators are continuing to gather evidence to establish the precise sequence of events leading to the crash.

The deaths represent one of the deadliest road incidents involving Buddhist monks in Thailand in recent years.

Tudong pilgrimages are a longstanding part of the country's Theravada Buddhist tradition, with monks often walking along public roads between provinces while relying on alms and temporary accommodation at temples.

Such journeys can cover hundreds of kilometres and frequently require monks to walk beside highways and rural roads shared with vehicle traffic.

The incident has renewed attention on road safety for religious pilgrims and pedestrians travelling along major routes.

As of Thursday, authorities had not released the identities or ages of the deceased monks.

Police said the injured monks remained under medical care while investigators continued examining the circumstances of the fatal collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.