At least nine monks were killed and 17 others injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy ploughed into a morning pilgrimage in Mukdahan province on Thursday.
The accident took place at 11.55am as the monks were walking along a road in Na Si Nuan village.
Five monks died at the scene, while four others later died at Mukdahan Hospital. Seventeen monks were injured, 12 seriously.
However, investigations are continuing and the exact number of deaths and injuries could change.
Police said the vehicle involved was an Isuzu pickup truck driven by a boy, aged around 11 years old. The child, described as having special needs, reportedly took his father’s vehicle without permission and drove from Don Tan towards Muang district.
The pickup reportedly veered into the group of monks, striking a large number of them and causing multiple casualties.
The boy was taken to the Muang district police station for questioning.
