This is the dramatic moment a truck full of trainee Buddhist monks rolled backwards into a ditch injuring several youngsters in Thailand.

The vehicle had been carrying around 50 teenage novice monks to be ordained at the Wat Phu Khao Long temple in Songkhla province on October 15.

But while driving up the inclined road to the temple, the truck suddenly stalled then began rolling downhill.

Heart-stopping dashcam footage shows the six-wheeler gaining momentum as it moved backwards uncontrollably, sparking panic among terrified onlookers on the roadside.

Some monks in orange robes who had been trying to disembark jumped from the truck and were nearly run over when it continued speeding into a ditch. Frantic locals rushed over to the truck to help the passengers.

Authorities said the truck may have been overloaded while travelling.

Two novice monks suffered scrapes on their arms, but there were no serious injuries or casualties reported. They were taken to hospital for first aid and checks.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.