JEDDAH, 1 October — Thailand plans to send 6,500 of its pilgrims for the upcoming Haj, according to its Consul General Makata Ma. “We’ll have about the same number of Haj pilgrims as last year and arrangements for their transport and stay are being finalized,” Ma told Arab News yesterday, shortly before he returned home after a term spanning three years and seven months.
Ma, who came here after completing his diplomatic assignments in Indonesia and Brunei, said some 30,000 Thais resided in the Kingdom, 50 percent of them in Makkah alone.
“Life being quite safe and secure here I had a very happy, comfortable and enjoyable stay,” he said, adding that he toured various parts of the Kingdom, especially places of tourist interests in Taif, Baha and Abha.
“I’ll cherish fond memories of this place,” he said in his farewell remarks.
Ma, who is now on the verge of retirement, said the recent opening of Islamic Bank of Thailand in Bangkok and its branch in southern part that had a six million Muslim population, was a landmark event. The country of 62 million population, 10 percent of them Muslim, had many ongoing activities spearheaded by Islamic organizations and education institutions. “We have a Muslim minister of communications and transport, Won Mohammed Noor Matha, who is actively perceiving Islamic interests,” he said.
Thailand has been taking part regularly in Saudi trade exhibitions. It took part in the food show held in Jeddah in May and has showcased a big pavilion at the five-day Saudi Building & Interiors Exhibition which opened at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center on Sunday.
