The death toll from a tragic road accident involving a Buddhist pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand has risen to 10 after five more monks succumbed to their injuries in hospital, authorities confirmed on Friday. The devastating incident occurred when a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy struck a procession of monks and lay followers walking along a roadside in Mukdahan province.
The crash has shocked Thailand, where Buddhist monks are deeply respected and play a central role in religious and community life. Officials said the accident has become one of the country’s deadliest incidents involving a religious procession in recent years.
According to police, a group of 35 monks accompanied by five lay followers was taking part in a pilgrimage on Thursday when the pickup truck veered into the procession. Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene, while five others later died after being transported to hospital for emergency treatment.
Mukdahan Hospital said another 10 people remain hospitalized. Two are in critical condition, while eight others are being treated for injuries ranging from moderate to serious. Medical teams continue to monitor the victims closely as families, fellow monks, and local residents await further updates.
Authorities identified the driver as an 11-year-old boy who had allegedly taken his parents’ pickup truck without their knowledge or permission. Police said the child, who has special needs, drove approximately 10 kilometers before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the religious procession.
Mukdahan Provincial Police Chief Major General Pairoj Thaiphutra said preliminary investigations indicate that the boy had been driving alone before the collision occurred. Investigators are working to establish the exact circumstances leading to the crash, including whether excessive speed, driver inexperience, or other factors contributed to the tragedy.
“The child drove for around 10 kilometers before the accident occurred,” Major General Pairoj said, adding that investigators are collecting physical evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses.
Mukdahan City Police Chief Prayut Ruanthongkam said on Friday that the boy has not yet been able to provide a formal statement to investigators due to his condition. Instead, he has been referred to child welfare authorities for assessment while remaining under the care of his mother.
“The child was unable to give a statement to police,” Prayut said. “He has been sent for assessment by child welfare officials, accompanied by his mother.”
Under Thai law, children younger than 12 cannot be held criminally liable for their actions. As a result, the investigation is expected to focus primarily on determining how the child gained access to the vehicle and whether any additional legal or civil responsibilities may arise from the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police are also interviewing surviving monks and other witnesses who were part of the procession to reconstruct the moments before the crash. Officers have documented evidence from the scene and are expected to examine the pickup truck as part of the ongoing investigation.
The procession was traveling along a roadside in Mukdahan province during what officials described as a religious pilgrimage. Such pilgrimages are common among Buddhist monks in Thailand and often involve long walks between temples as acts of spiritual devotion, discipline, and meditation.
The accident has deeply affected both the local community and Thailand’s Buddhist population. Monks occupy a highly revered position in Thai society, where they are regarded as custodians of Buddhist teachings and moral guidance. They regularly participate in public ceremonies, religious festivals, and daily alms rounds, during which members of the public offer food and donations as acts of merit-making.
The loss of ten monks has prompted an outpouring of grief across the province, with local residents expressing condolences and offering support to those affected.
A representative from Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, a prominent hilltop temple in Mukdahan, said the temple has opened its facilities to assist survivors of the accident. Recovering monks, injured followers, and other participants in the pilgrimage have been welcomed to stay at the temple while they receive care and emotional support.
Temple officials said monks and volunteers have also been providing spiritual guidance and assistance to grieving families following the tragedy.
The incident has renewed attention to road safety during religious events, particularly processions that travel along public roads. While Buddhist pilgrimages are a longstanding tradition in Thailand, they often require participants to walk considerable distances on highways and rural roads where traffic can pose significant risks.
Road safety advocates have previously called for stronger protective measures during religious and community processions, including temporary traffic management, escort vehicles, and improved warning signs to alert motorists of pedestrians ahead.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional safety measures were in place at the time of Thursday’s procession or whether new guidelines may be introduced following the investigation.
The crash has also raised broader concerns about vehicle security and preventing children from gaining unauthorized access to motor vehicles. Police have not released details about how the boy obtained the pickup truck or whether the keys had been left inside the vehicle.
Legal experts note that while the child cannot face criminal prosecution because of his age, authorities may examine whether negligence or other factors contributed to the circumstances that allowed the incident to occur.
Investigators are expected to continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing forensic evidence over the coming days before issuing a final report.
As Thailand mourns the loss of the ten monks, religious communities across the country are expected to hold prayers and memorial ceremonies in their honor. Local officials have pledged support for the injured and the families of those who lost their lives.
