Thailand is facing national grief after an 11-year-old boy reportedly drove a pickup truck into a group of Buddhist monks during a pilgrimage walk in Mukdahan province.

According to officials, dozens of monks had just begun a long religious journey from Mukdahan toward Ubon Ratchathani when the incident happened. The group was walking along the roadside in a single line, following a traditional Buddhist pilgrimage practice, when the pickup truck suddenly veered toward them.

Early reports first listed eight or nine fatalities, but the latest Associated Press update reported that 10 monks have died and several others were injured. More than 10 people were taken to hospital, with at least one person reported in critical condition.

The boy, who is only 11 years old, was taken into custody as authorities began investigating how he gained access to the vehicle. Police said the child was driving his parents’ pickup truck, and investigators are now looking into whether the parents could face negligence-related charges.

The tragedy has shocked many people in Thailand, a country where Buddhist monks are deeply respected and where pilgrimage walks remain an important spiritual tradition. For many communities, monks walking between temples are seen as symbols of faith, discipline, and peace.

Officials have urged parents to be more careful about vehicle access, especially when children are left unsupervised. The incident has also renewed public discussion about road safety, child supervision, and responsibility inside the home.

As families, temples, and local communities mourn, the case has become more than a traffic tragedy. It is now a painful reminder of how quickly one moment of poor supervision can change many lives forever.

Source: Associated Press, People