At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured on Thursday when a child drove his parents' truck into a motorcade in northeastern Thailand, police said.

The group, consisting of 35 monks and five lay worshippers, was walking along a road in Mukdahan province as part of a pilgrimage when the incident occurred, local police chief Pairoj Thaiphutsa told reporters, adding that "the suspect is an 11-year-old child."

"The vehicle has been seized for expert analysis to determine the causes of the accident," he said.

"We have asked the child's parents to come forward in order to establish who was responsible for his supervision, so that we can begin legal proceedings," he added.

According to the police, the boy had taken his parents' vehicle without permission before losing control and hitting the monks.

CCTV footage from a neighbouring property shows the monks walking along the road, several vehicles passing, then the sound of a loud crash before the procession stops.

"I saw a boy approaching in a pickup truck. At that moment, I was chanting 'Buddho, Buddho' (a meditation mantra)," said a monk identified as Phra Sompong, in a video posted online by local rescuers.

"Then, suddenly, the truck hit us at full speed and crushed us like that," he recounted, demonstrating as he spoke. "Fortunately, another monk and I managed to get out of the way in time," he added. "The first nine monks in the line survived. But the others, who were hit, were thrown into the air."

Five monks died instantly, and three others died later in hospital from their injuries. Health officials reported that four monks were in critical condition at Mukdahan Hospital, ten others were seriously injured, and still others were being treated for minor injuries.

Rescue teams and emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene, and the injured were transported to the local hospital.

Buddhist monks are highly revered in Thailand, tasked with preserving and transmitting the teachings of the Buddha. They often hold public processions and are widely seen receiving alms from ordinary Thais.

The governor of Mukdahan province, Worayan Bunnarat, felt that this tragedy should serve as a warning regarding road safety.

Fatal transport accidents are frequent in Thailand, which has one of the worst road safety records in the world, with speeding, drunk driving and weak law enforcement all contributing factors.

"We have significantly strengthened road safety measures in recent years. This tragedy should serve as a lesson not only to our province, but also to the public as a whole to prevent road accidents," he said.

"I think that all those involved, especially the parents, must take responsibility, because nobody wants such a tragedy to happen."

AFP