BANGKOK, 4 October 2011 -Thai Muslims pilgrims who traveled to Saudi Arabia to attend this year’s Hajj were accorded a warm welcome at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
A number of well wishers, who were prominent Muslim figures in Thailand as well Airport of Thailand (AoT) executives and the Ministry of Culture representatives, were also present at the event.
Attending the event included Culture Minister Mrs. Kusumol Khunpluem, who presided over the ceremony, Deputy Samutprakarn Governor Mr. Chana Nopsuwan and Airport Deputy Spokesperson Narongchai Thanadchangsaeng and the Islamic Chief Cleric of Thailand.
Since 6,000 Thai Muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca via Suvarnbhumi Aiport this year, the Department of Religious Affairs and related agencies have made it a point to facilitate their travel and provide a prayer room and a sitting area inside the airport for the family and relatives of those leaving for Saudi Arabia.
The representative of the traveling group expressed his gratitude towards those involved in the ceremony and the government for making them feel comfortable and accommodated. Around 80 of them boarded Jordan Airlines for an eight-hour flight to Mecca which took off at midnight. They are scheduled to return to Thailand in December.
