Thai Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia reportedly safe

BANGKOK, September 25 (TNA) - The Ministry of Culture reports that there were no fatalities among Thai Hajj pilgrims in a deadly stampede near Mecca in Saudi Arabia on September 24. Thai Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat quoted Religious Affairs Department Director-General Kitsayapong Siri as reporting that Thursday's stampede scene was not an area of Thai Hajj pilgrims and there were no reports on Thai fatalities there. Vira said he has, however, ordered the religious affairs chief to closely follow up updates related to the incident and regularly find facts concerning Thai Hajj pilgrims. The culture minister affirmed that his ministry will keep informing the mass media and the general public of latest developments related to Thursday's stampede in Saudi Arabia. (TNA)