Body of monk killed by underage driver returns to Korat for royally sponsored funeral

The body of a Buddhist monk who was tragically killed when an 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into a group of monks on a pilgrimage in Mukdahan has arrived in his home province for funeral rites.

The remains of Phra Sakorn Tapakhuno Khlangsoongnern, 63, were transported from Mukdahan Hospital to the Nakhon Ratchasima Youth Training Centre in Pak Thong Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima province today.

A royal bathing rite was scheduled for 4pm today, allowing the monastic community and the public to pay their final respects.

Following the public bathing ceremony, the Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima was slated to preside over the official royal bathing ritual.

The ceremony served to honour Phra Sakorn, whose untimely death while on a pilgrimage walk (dhutanga) has deeply saddened the Buddhist community and the public alike.

The collision occurred on July 2, involving a group of Buddhist monks who were walking from Roy Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom Temple in Mukdahan province, heading towards Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani province. The impact caused 10 fatalities and numerous injuries.

The driver was a boy aged only 11, who had allegedly stolen his parents’ vehicle.