BANGKOK, 7 June 2015 – The Department of Religious Affairs calls a meeting next Monday, 8 June 2015, with Public Health officials and relevant authorities to ensure safety of Hajj pilgrims from MERS-CoV.
Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Kritsayapong Siri said the department has sent the list of 10,400 Thai Muslims, to go to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in mid-August, to the Public Health Ministry to receive mandatory Meningococcal vaccine. The list will also be used by the ministry in conducting health surveillance on them both during and after their trip to Mecca.
As for the progress of preparations in terms of accommodations and flights for the pilgrims, Mr.Kritsayapong said around 90 per cent of the travelers have their accommodations booked whereas 6,000 Thai pilgrims have already got their flights to Mecca.
“All the preparations should be completed by 10 June as the department is scheduled to submit the name list to Saudi Arabian database by 17 June for information verification before the issuance of Visa,” said Mr.Kritsayapong.
The department also tried to prevent scammers from taking advantage of these Thai Muslims by sending its officials to communities in the South of Thailand to explain detailed information of the trips to Mecca.
