UPDATE 11-Year-Old Boy’s Pickup Crash Death Rises to 10 Picture courtesy of Amarin The death toll from a devastating road crash involving an 11-year-old boy who stole a pickup truck has risen to 10 Buddhist monks after two more monks succumbed to his injuries. The crash occurred on the Mukdahan–Don Tan road in northeastern Thailand while a group of 34 monks were walking on a religious pilgrimage. Five monks died at the scene, with four later that afternoon dying in hospital. Authorities confirmed at around 8.00pm that a tenth monk had also passed away. Three monks remain in critical condition, while nine others and one lay follower sustained injuries. The tragedy has shocked Thailand, with the young driver accused of taking the vehicle from his home before crashing into the procession. The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief nationwide and Thailand’s Supreme Patriarch has already placed the deceased monks under royal ecclesiastical patronage. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, while surviving monks receive treatment and recover from the traumatic ordeal. Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 3 July 2026
