Inaugural flight to Mecca in Hat Yai launched

SONGKHLA, September 17 (TNA) - Hat Yai International Airport in the business hub of southern Thai province of Songkhla is filled with Thai-Muslims passengers, bound for the first flight to Mecca this year for their pilgrimage. Many families and friends of Thai-Muslims from the 5 southern most provinces of Thailand arrived at the airport Monday to see their loved ones off for their pilgrimage or Hajj in Mecca of Saudi Arabia. During the occasion, the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), along with the Department of Religious Affairs and other relevant agencies held a departure ceremony for 295 pilgrims living in the Thai south traveling on the first flight of the year to complete their Hajj in Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, on a chartered flight of TG 8500 from Hat Yai. The total number of Thai-Muslims traveling to Mecca for their pilgrimage this year is 13,000, 9,000 of which would be traveling from the south of Thailand between September 17-26 on 19 flights. (TNA)