Thai boy driving truck kills 10 monks in pilgrimage crash
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A 11-year-old boy drove a truck without his parents' permission and crashed into a Buddhist pilgrimage procession in northeastern Thailand.
- The accident killed 10 monks, with five dying at the scene and five more succumbing to injuries in the hospital.
- Police are investigating the boy's parents for potential charges of causing death by negligence.
A tragic accident unfolded in northeastern Thailand when an 11-year-old boy, driving a truck without his parents' consent, struck a Buddhist pilgrimage procession. The devastating incident resulted in the deaths of 10 monks and left over a dozen others injured, with at least one in critical condition.
The procession, consisting of 35 monks, had been walking for only about 30 minutes on a journey of approximately 260 kilometers when the truck veered off the road and into the group. CCTV footage released by a local rescue organization shows the vehicle hitting the monks who were walking in a single file along the roadside.
Authorities have detained the boy and are currently investigating whether his parents can be charged with causing death by negligence. The incident highlights a disturbing lapse in supervision and raises questions about child safety and vehicle access.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.