Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — More than 1,500 Thai pilgrims, the first group of 10,400 from the country expected to perform Haj this year, arrived in Madinah on Sunday. The pilgrims were greeted at Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport by Consul General Thanis Na Songkhla and other officers from the Royal Thai Consulate General in Jeddah. “The Thai government considers Haj affairs an important matter and we at the consulate give utmost importance to the welfare of the pilgrims,” Na Sonkhla said. Most of the pilgrims are from the southern part of Thailand, and each year the government organizes charter flights operated by Thailand's national flag carrier, Thai Airways, to transport pilgrims from Hadyai and Narathiwat airports. “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 to facilitate and welcome pilgrims from Thailand and all over the world,” Na Sonkhla added. The pilgrim's group leader, Hajiden Buena, said he was pleased with the Kingdom's arrangements for this year's Haj. “In fact, the manner in which we have been received by local authorities and the arrangements at the airport have all been impressive,” he said. “It is my pride and honor to lead the first group of Haj pilgrims from Thailand this year.”
