Eight Thai monks killed after 11-year-old drives truck into procession

Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 10 others in their procession injured when they were hit by an 11-year-old boy driving his parents’ pickup truck in north-east Thailand, police said.

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

Footage posted online shows saffron robes and belongings scattered by the roadside, and a wrecked vehicle. Five of the monks died at the scene and three others later in hospital, according to police.

They said the boy took the pickup without permission before losing control and crashing into the monks. The cause of the incident is still being investigated.

Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said the truck had been taken in for forensic examination.

“We’ve asked the child’s parents to come in so we can determine who in responsible for the child’s care, so we can go on with legal process,” he said.

Mukdahan Hospital has appealed for urgent blood donations to help the injured monks, a number of whom are in a critical condition.