MUEANG MUKDAHAN, Thailand — A devastating road accident cut short a sacred Buddhist walking pilgrimage on Thursday morning, July 2, 2026 when an out-of-control pickup truck—allegedly driven by an 11-year-old child—plowed directly into a large group of tudong monks. The horrific collision has left eight monks dead and at least 13 others injured along a northeastern highway.

Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene due to the sheer force of the impact. Three others later succumbed to their severe injuries after being rushed to Mukdahan Hospital, according to provincial Governor Worrayan Boonnarat.

The tragedy occurred at approximately 11:00 AM on the Mukdahan-Don Tan Road near the village of Ban Na Wiang Kae, located in the Na Si Nuan subdistrict. A total of 34 devout monks accompanied by five lay followers were on a spiritual tudong pilgrimage, traveling on foot through the region. The group had just finished their midday meal at a local temple and resumed their journey when the incident unfolded.

According to surviving monks and witnesses at the scene, an Isuzu single-cab pickup truck approaching the group suddenly lost balance, veered wildly off the main road, and barreled straight into the line of walking pilgrims.

"The vehicle lost balance entirely before it slid off the asphalt and crashed into the group," local authorities reported, citing statements collected from survivors at the scene.

Pol Col Prayut Rueanthongkham, superintendent of the Mueang Mukdahan Police Station, dispatched a massive emergency response force after being alerted by traumatized local residents. Multiple first responder units—including Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue, the Mukdahan Charity Foundation, and medical teams from Mukdahan Hospital—rushed to the gruesome scene.

Rescuers found bodies and severely injured victims scattered across the roadside grass alongside the heavily damaged bronze-gold pickup truck.

Initial police investigations revealed a shocking detail regarding the operator of the vehicle. The driver was identified as an 11-year-old local boy who had reportedly taken his family's pickup truck from their home without permission.

Local reports indicate that the child, described by family members as having special needs, drove the vehicle out onto the highway from the Don Tan district before losing control and striking the pilgrimage group.

The 11-year-old boy survived the crash and was immediately taken into custody by Mueang Mukdahan police personnel for specialized questioning in the presence of juvenile officers and family members. Local officials are continuing to review the exact circumstances surrounding how the minor managed to access and operate the vehicle.