The car crash that killed 10 monks on a pilgrimage in Mukdahan's Muang district was extremely horrifying. However, the real shock came after the details were released: the driver of the car, which was a pickup truck, was an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with autism.
The fatal accident occurred late Thursday morning as a group of 35 monks and laymen walked in a single file towards Don Tan district. Five were killed instantly, while five others succumbed to their injuries at Mukdahan Hospital.
More than a dozen people were injured, including three who are in critical condition. Viral clips on social media show the pickup truck going at a very high speed.
Shortly after the accident, the boy's family said the boy took the vehicle, an Isuzu pickup, without permission. His mother told the police that she failed to stop him. She said she called the 191 hotline for help, but help came too late.
As of press time yesterday, the boy still could not talk to the police due to the trauma he underwent. The family, however, insisted the 11-year-old boy had never learned to drive.
His mother told the police it's "the boy's first time driving [a car]", insisting that no one had taught him. However, any driver knows that her explanation is questionable.
The vehicle in question uses a manual transmission, which is not easy to operate, let alone for an 11-year-old. Netizens are asking: how did the boy, who did not know how to drive, manage to go 10 kilometres on the road before ramming into the monks?
This tragedy is a casualty of underage driving, which is not unusual in our society. The sight of boys or girls aged 11-13 riding motorcycles, most of the time without crash helmets, is all too familiar.
In Thai society, it is common for parents to drive with their children on their laps, where they are often taught to turn the wheel. On social media, some parents even post clips of their young children learning how to drive.
While these young children may not cause accidents, the practice encourages the wrong perception and makes underage driving look like a common occurrence.
Under the law, only people aged 18 and up can apply for a proper driver's licence.
The practice of teaching young children to drive can be blamed on poor public transportation services in Bangkok and the provinces alike. Families are forced to rely on themselves, acquiring all kinds of cars and motorcycles based on their means, so they can commute. Because of this poor public transportation system, legal compromises have been made.
Young people, including those who are at least 15 years old, can have a temporary motorcycle licence, so long as the bike is small, no more than 110cc.
On the road, however, these young people may not fully respect the law. They may ride without helmets, drive more powerful motorcycles or engage in reckless behaviour.
Most of the time, the authorities turn a blind eye, probably because there are too many motorcycles on the road.
The 11-year-old boy, who is protected by the law, will not be penalised. However, his family will have to take responsibility for what he did.
This is a costly lesson not just for this family but for all in society. It's time that we got tough on underage driving.
