Jeddah: The first group of Umrah pilgrims has arrived in Saudi Arabia after Thailand’s full restoration of diplomatic relations. After a gap of 32 years, relations between the two countries were fully restored with the visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand to Saudi Arabia on January 25 and 26 this year.
Since then, flights between the two countries have resumed last Monday. This marked the beginning of the Umrah service. The first group of pilgrims landed at Jeddah Airport on Thursday morning on Saudi Airlines. Pilgrims were greeted with roses by officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and airport officials. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Twitter that it had received the first batch of pilgrims from Thailand and provided them with the services they needed.
Hani Ali al-Umayri, a member of the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, said the resumption of direct flights between the two countries was a result of the full restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, which would help Hajj and Umrah pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia directly. The pilgrims first go to Madinah. After spending a few days there, he will return to Makkah to perform Umrah. Hotel, transport and food facilities have been arranged, he said.