BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 – The Ministry of Culture has opened an administration center to facilitate this year’s hajj pilgrimage by first providing help with flights postponed due to delayed visa approvals, and take care of 170 pilgrims beyond the quota.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture acknowledged that the new visa approval system of the Saudi Arabia Embassy caused the delayed issuing of visas. Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia due to go on the 30th-31st August have also been delayed and await four flights with 1,184 remaining passengers.
The ministry has coordinated with Thai Airways and Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, Secretary of the National Council for Peace and Order who deals with hajj affairs, to provide flights twice a day on 2nd and 3rd September.
Out of a total quota of 10,400 to Saudi Arabia, 5,069 persons have now arrived at their destination and 5,331 persons are in the process of traveling, while the other 176 persons with delayed visas will immediately receive further assistance.
