NARATHIWAT, 10 May 2013 Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to provide direct flights from the southern province of Narathiwat to Saudi Arabia for the first time in an effort to facilitate Thai Hajj pilgrims.
Narathiwat Governor Apinan Suethanuwong said THAI’s decision to launch the inaugural direct flights will save time and costs for Thai Muslims in the far South wishing to go on pilgrimage to the Saudi Arabian spiritual center of Mecca as the flights will depart from Narathiwat Airport, which is located within their vicinity.
Previously, the Thai pilgrims from the three southern border provinces had to commute farther to Hat Yai district of Songkhla before they could board the planes from Hat Yai Airport.
Out of the four direct flights, THAI will operate two flights on September 7 and another two on September 8. The organized flights will be able to support 303 passengers per flight. A total of 1,212 pilgrims are expected to embark on the flights this coming September.
