NARATHIWAT, 17 August 2015, Military and police officers provided tight security in Narathiwat yesterday, the first of the two days that the airport offers direct flights from the province to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for hajj pilgrims.
According to airport officials, the first flight carrying 289 pilgrims left Thailand at 11.35 AM. Another group of the same number took off at 3.50 PM. The airport was reportedly crowded with the pilgrims’ relatives seeing their family members off.
This is the third time Narathiwat Airport has offered direct flights from the province to Saudi Arabia. 1,156 pilgrims are to fly to the holy city by 4 flights provided by the airport, beginning yesterday and today.
The provincial administration office organized a well-wishing ceremony for the pilgrims, chaired by Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre Secretary Phanu Uthairat. During the event, Sheikhul Islam of Thailand Aziz Phitakkumpon also prayed for the pilgrims’ safety and success in their journey.
