An 11-year-old boy drove his parents' pickup truck into a Buddhist procession in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, killing eight monks and injuring more than 20 others.
The crash has drawn attention to Thailand's severe road safety challenges and prompted officials to call for stronger prevention measures across the country.
What happened
An 11-year-old boy took his parents' pickup truck without permission in Mukdahan province, Thailand, and drove it into a Buddhist procession on Thursday, killing eight monks—five at the scene and three more in hospital—and injuring more than 20 others. The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking along a roadside during a pilgrimage when the crash occurred.
Why it matters
Buddhist monks are highly venerated in Thailand and trusted with preserving the Buddha's teachings. The incident underscores a broader road safety crisis in Thailand, which has one of the worst road safety records in the world, with speeding, drunk driving, and weak law enforcement as contributing factors.
What to watch
Police said the vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities are questioning the child's parents to determine responsibility and proceed with the legal process. The provincial governor called the case a warning for the public on road safety.
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