JEDDAH — The first group of 294 Thai pilgrims from the southern provinces of the country arrived at the Haj Terminal of King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah on Monday night on their way to the holy city of Makkah. Thai Airways transported the pilgrims who are among a total of 13,000 Thais to perform Haj this year. Acting Consul General Anchalee Saifah and Thai officers from the Royal Thai Consulate General in Jeddah welcomed the pilgrims with Saudi Haj officials. “The Thai government considers Haj an important matter and we at the consulate give utmost importance to the welfare of the pilgrims,” Saifah said. Most of the pilgrims are from the southern part of Thailand. Every year charter flights are arranged by the Thai government to facilitate their transportation to Saudi Arabia from Hadyai, Phuket and Krabi airports. Saifah added, “On behalf of the Thai government, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Saudi government and concerned authorities for their efforts in preparing and arranging everything to welcome pilgrims from all over the world and facilitate the Haj rituals.” — SG
