AOT ready to take pilgrims to Mecca

BANGKOK, September 11 (TNA) - Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) says that AOT will provide facilities at the country's main airports for Muslim pilgrims wanting to travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for annual Hajj, starting from the end of this month. AOT President Flying Officer Anirut Thanomkulbutra acknowledged on Tuesday that from September to October every year, a number of Thai Muslims travel to join the Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca, with over 12,500 of them planning for the Hajj in the Holy Mecca City this year. Anirut said that the Thai Muslims will depart from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport between October 14 and 19, from the Hat Yai International Airport between September 17 and 26 and from the Phuket International Airport between September 17 and October 6. AOT chief said that AOT has, therefore, provided 70 flights at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to serve over 6,000 Muslim passengers, 19 flights at the Hat Yai International Airport to cater for some 5,500 passengers and 12 flights at the Phuket International Airport to cater nearly 1,000 passengers, together with well-prepared security systems and varied facilities. (TNA)