Eight Monks Killed After Car Hits Buddhist Procession
An 11-year-old boy stole a vehicle and struck a Buddhist monk procession in Mukdahan Province on July 2, killing eight monks and injuring thirteen others. The Supreme Patriarch has ordered merit-making ceremonies and support for the survivo
On July 2, 2026, the Office of the Supreme Patriarch received word that a group of monks were struck by a vehicle while conducting a pilgrimage from Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manrom in Mueang District, Mukdahan Province, to Namkham District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The accident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries among the monks. Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanyana has expressed his deep compassion and issued directives to conduct merit-making ceremonies for all deceased monks, to be held under his patronage. He has granted monastic robes and sandalwood branches for funeral rites for each deceased monk. Additionally, the Supreme Patriarch has ordered that medical treatment and rehabilitation support be provided to all injured monks, with the National Office of Buddhism coordinating information from medical teams and reporting on the injured monks' condition. Blessings are to be offered to the injured monks for a swift and complete recovery so they may continue their monastic duties. An 11-year-old boy stole a vehicle and drove it into the procession, killing eight monks and injuring thirteen others. The boy's mother reported the vehicle theft to police but the alert came too late to prevent the tragedy.
