Eight Monks Killed After Child Drives Pickup into Mukdahan Pilgrimage

An 11-year-old boy allegedly took his parents’ pickup truck without permission before crashing into a group of monks on a walking pilgrimage in Mukdahan on July 2. The updated death toll has risen to eight monks, while 13 others were reported to be seriously injured, and several more suffered lesser injuries. The boy’s grandmother said he has special needs and claimed she contacted police as soon as she discovered the vehicle was missing. Officers attempted to intercept the pickup after it passed through the Na Kham Noi checkpoint while heading towards Mukdahan city. Investigators are questioning those connected to the incident as they establish the full sequence of events and consider the appropriate legal procedures.

1 hour ago, Video News said:

The boy’s grandmother said he has special needs

Is there any other source, preferably a more authoritative one, that substantiates this claim? He was able to "steal" the keys and go for a long drive in a pick-up truck so the special needs claim looks a bit weak.

Perhaps "special needs" is the new 'naughty'.

This is Thailand, so nobody will be held responsible;

Why did the boy's father teach an 11 yr old to drive?

How is it that the RTP cannot stop a pick-up driven by an 11 yr old?

Ho can you punish those responsible?

"Special needs" is such a vague term. Does Thailand even have any institutions suitable for such a boy?

20 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Is there any other source, preferably a more authoritative one, that substantiates this claim? He was able to "steal" the keys and go for a long drive in a pick-up truck so the special needs claim looks a bit weak.

Perhaps "special needs" is the new 'naughty'.

His ' special needs ' were four wheels and a set of keys.

I had a nephew who had "special needs," certified as Autistic in UK, so genuine diagnosis. He appeared to act as a basicaly very badly behaved child. Officially he did not know right from wrong, so did not know when he was being naughty. That was he excuse his parents used for his behavior.

Apart from this, he had good motor skills, and was an ace on computer games. Thinking back, given his Playstation had a driving adaptor, (steering wheel, foot pedals,) he most probably have learned enough to drive a car.

Luckily he had no apparent ambitions to drive his mother's car.

Fortunately, UK had facilities for a child like him and he attended a special school and was closely supervised by experts

Sadly, a child so afflicted would hardly know it was wrong to take his parent's car without permission, nor understand what he had done wrong driving into a group of monks.

How can you "punish" a child like this? At fault were his parents for not supervising him. But were they aware of the risk he posed?

No mention of the boy's mother; was she at home or was only father and grandmother taking care of him?

3 hours ago, Robin said:

I had a nephew who had "special needs," certified as Autistic in UK, so genuine diagnosis. He appeared to act as a basicaly very badly behaved child. Officially he did not know right from wrong, so did not know when he was being naughty. That was he excuse his parents used for his behavior.

Apart from this, he had good motor skills, and was an ace on computer games. Thinking back, given his Playstation had a driving adaptor, (steering wheel, foot pedals,) he most probably have learned enough to drive a car.

Luckily he had no apparent ambitions to drive his mother's car.

Fortunately, UK had facilities for a child like him and he attended a special school and was closely supervised by experts

Sadly, a child so afflicted would hardly know it was wrong to take his parent's car without permission, nor understand what he had done wrong driving into a group of monks.

How can you "punish" a child like this? At fault were his parents for not supervising him. But were they aware of the risk he posed?

No mention of the boy's mother; was she at home or was only father and grandmother taking care of him?

Very recently at a zoo in England, an adult, reportedly being chaperoned by two carers, grabbed a child and threw him into the crocodile pen. The child was rescued and survived with serious injuries.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The police stated the suspect and the child did not know each other, and the man was later released on bail as he was deemed "unfit for interview".

This is possibly another person on the autism spectrum, who obviously can't tell good from bad. Unfortunately, it's not an excuse, it's a reality.