Eight Buddhist monks were killed and 26 others injured when an 11-year-old boy driving his father's pick-up truck crashed into them in Mukdahan, northeast Thailand, just before noon on July 2, 2026. The monks, walking in single file as part of a pilgrimage, were struck by a bronze Isuzu pick-up. Eight were pronounced dead at the scene, 14 were critically injured and rushed to hospital, and the rest suffered minor injuries treated on site.
Police Investigation Underway
Police took the boy into custody and are investigating how he gained access to the vehicle. They are also searching for his relatives. Lieutenant Theera Kaewnet, who responded to the incident, said: 'Upon arriving at the scene, I found a large number of monks lying on the road and by the roadside. At first, I thought it was a contingency drill, but when I went down to inspect, I realised it was an actual accident, so I quickly coordinated with local police officers, rescuers and the hospital to urgently assist the injured.'
Pilgrimage Details
The monks were walking across the province as part of a pilgrimage to a religious site, carrying alms collected along the route. The crash occurred on a roadside in Mukdahan, and footage from the aftermath shows the monks in their distinctive orange robes scattered across the ground.
