Three monks dead as lay driver drops off to sleep and hits a tree

A group of monks on pilgrimage to the south were killed and injured when their Nissan Xciter van slammed into a tree on Petchkasen Highway yesterday morning. 

Three monks were found dead in what remained of the van or having been thrown out of the vehicle. 

They were named as Phra Anek, Phra Samphan and Phra Khanin. 

Four others – including two monks – were rushed to a local hospital.

The accident happened between KM markers 333 and 334 in the Huay Yang area of  Prajuab Khirikhan.

Driver Apirak Maolanon, said that they were on their way from Wat Suan Apithan in Phitsanuloke in Thailand’s north on pilgrimage to a temple in Nakorn Sri Thammarat. 

They had just rested for the night at a temple in Cha-Am and had set off in the early hours while still dark heading further south.

He said he dropped off to sleep, lost control and slammed into a tree. 

Source: Talk News Online

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