Eight Buddhist monks died in northeastern Thailand when a pickup truck plowed into their group of pilgrims.
Jul 2, 2026, 10:28Jul 2, 2026, 10:28
Another 13 monks were injured, some seriously, in the accident in Mukdahan province on the border with neighboring Laos, as the newspaper “Khaosod” reported, citing the police. Five monks died at the scene of the accident, and three others later died from their injuries in hospital.
The car at the scene of the accident.Image: x
The driver of the accident was a teenager
According to the authorities’ initial findings, a young person was behind the wheel of the pickup truck. He is said to have taken the vehicle without his parents’ permission before speeding into the procession of monks. According to information from the portal “The Thaiger”, it is said to be an eleven-year-old.
He reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The investigation into the exact cause of the accident is still ongoing. The boy was to be questioned at a police station.
Pilgrimages are part of the Buddhist tradition in Thailand. Monks often travel long distances on foot to visit temples with relics, meditate or take part in religious ceremonies. In the predominantly Buddhist kingdom, monks are held in high regard in society. (dab/sda/dpa)