Eight Thai monks killed after boy drives truck into procession

BANGKOK: An 11-year-old drove his parents' truck into a Buddhist procession in Thailand on Thursday (Jul 2), killing eight monks and injuring 10 others, police said.

The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking along a roadside in the northeastern Mukdahan province during a pilgrimage when the incident occurred.

"I saw a boy driving a pickup truck, approaching. At that moment I was chanting 'Buddho, Buddho' (a meditation mantra)," one monk, identified as Phra Sompong, said in a video posted online by local rescue workers.

"Then suddenly the truck hit at full speed and crashed us like this," he said, gesticulating.

"Luckily another monk and I managed to jump out of the way in time," he added.

"The first nine monks in line survived. But others who were hit were thrown into the air."

Five monks died at the scene and three more later died in hospital, police said.

FOUR OTHERS IN CRITICAL CONDITION

CCTV footage from a nearby property shows the monks walking along the road, multiple vehicles driving past and then the sound of a loud crash before the procession stops.

Health authorities said four monks were in critical condition in Mukdahan Hospital and 10 others were seriously hurt, while more were being treated for lighter injuries.

Police said the boy had taken his parents' pickup truck without permission before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the monks.

"The driver, an 11-year-old boy with special needs, took the pickup truck from his family home and drove about 10km before hitting the group of monks," said Major General Pairoj Thaiphutra, the Mukdahan provincial police chief.

"The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause," he told reporters.

"We've asked the child's parents to come in so we can determine who is responsible for the child's care, so we can go on with legal process," he added.

Police have not filed any charges as investigators are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, Pairoj said.

Officers have not yet been able to question the boy because he remains in a state of shock and is unable to provide a statement, he added.

Buddhist monks are highly venerated in Thailand, entrusted with preserving and passing on the Buddha's teachings.

They often hold public processions and are widely seen receiving alms of goodwill from ordinary Thais.

Mukdahan provincial governor Worayan Bunnarat said the case should serve as a wider warning on road safety.

Deadly transport accidents are common in Thailand, which has one of the worst road safety records in the world, with speeding, drunk driving and weak law enforcement all contributing factors.

"We've been very strict on road safety in recent years. This case should be a lesson not just for our province, but for the public in general when it comes to preventing road accidents," he said.

"I think everyone involved, especially parents, needs to help, because no one wants something like this to happen."