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Riyadh: Two Thai pilgrims making their first Mecca pilgrimage expressed their joy in arriving after being unable to arrive in Saudi Arabia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Mecca pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. When I first saw the Kaaba, I couldn’t hold back my tears. After that, if I could do the Mecca pilgrimage, God would be happy to have Umrah. I’m going to play every year. Hajj means everything to me, “Alon Samae told Arab News.

Born in Narathiwat, southern Thailand, Samae is a businessman pilgrimage with his wife this year.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the Guardian of the Custodian of the Two Saints for taking this opportunity to make great efforts to allow Muslims to visit the city of Mecca with the Prophet (Madina) again. Give more prosperity and progress, “Samae said.

Aboriginal people in Narathiwat flew directly from southern Thailand to Medina Airport. He arrived in Saudi Arabia on June 11th and left for Macca on June 17th.

“I have never encountered any difficulties. Everything is organized and easy. The Thai Mecca pilgrimage company provides everything from start to finish, and the Thai government also provides support and facilities at all stages. “I am doing it,” said Samae.

“It took about eight hours on a charter flight, but I didn’t expect these facilities because I heard that the pilgrimage trip, which waited a few days after the car transfer to the capital, was tired and long.” Said.

Samae was surprised to see how fast and seamless this process was. “Thank God. Everything was easy … within 12 hours … and I was in Saudi Arabia. Thank God,” he said.

“I prayed to God that I would arrive in Saudi Arabia someday, and I thank everyone who serves pilgrims, whether from Thailand or Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He wanted to make a pilgrimage to Mecca two years ago, but said he couldn’t because of the COVID-19 restrictions. The pandemic “changed everything” they wanted to do, he said.

A 58-year-old from Thailand, Mam Kaya is pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife this year. He is a high school Arabic teacher from Yarra, a city in the southern part of the country.

“I am very pleased to have this opportunity. I thank God day and night. And I absolutely say that all the Muslims who came to this Pure Land share this feeling with me. I’m sure, “Kaya said.

He told Arab News that this was his third pilgrimage to Mecca.

“We are very fortunate to have a direct flight from Narathiwat, far south of Thailand, just 100 kilometers from my house,” he said.

“The Mecca Pilgrimage Company in Thailand and the Mecca Pilgrimage Mission in Thailand have successfully fulfilled their obligations, especially due to the presence of electronic platforms that greatly contribute to facilitating the process from day one to boarding a flight to Madina. , Everything is organized and tidy, “he said.

Kayah took a direct 8-hour flight from Narathiwat to Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina. He thanked the Kingdom and Thailand for providing these routes to pilgrims.

“I’ve heard that organizing charter planes is not easy and can only be achieved with the great efforts of both Thailand and Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Kaya and his wife arrive in Medina on June 12, travel to Macca on June 18, and return to their homeland on July 20.

“This year’s Mecca pilgrimage is very special and completely different from my previous experience,” he said.

“For example, the process from getting off the plane at Medina Airport to arriving at the hotel took only an hour. From the passport procedure to getting on the bus with your luggage, all the steps are fast and tidy. It has been done, “Kaya added.

He added that Saudi and Thai employees can help anywhere. “Above all, the welcome from the Saudi authorities in charge was very good. We felt like one of the VIPs,” he said.

It was a moving experience for him. “It’s an indescribable joy, especially for people of my age. Of course, when I stand in front of the Prophet’s Mosque and the Holy Kaaba, I cry whenever I cry for joy. It’s all omnipotent. Thanks to God, “he said.

“The only problem that I and everyone are worried about is the high price of everything. In any case, we are well aware that this is not in our hands. Not only has the cost of the Mecca pilgrimage increased, but it has increased everywhere in the world. Other than that, it’s okay. “

According to the Thai Embassy in Jeddah, Thailand has 5,885 post-pandemic pilgrims and 3,738 registered. Prior to the COVID-19 limit, Thailand had an allocation of 13,000. In 2018 and 2019, a total of 7,851 and 8,462 pilgrims performed Mecca pilgrimages, respectively.

As of June 20, 1,120 pilgrims arrived in Medina on a Thai Airways charter flight. Four flights arrived in the Kingdom from June 10th to 13th. The other 2,618 pilgrims will travel to Jeddah on eight flights from June 29, five via Thai Airways International and three via Saudi Arabia.

When the first group of pilgrims arrived in Mecca and Medina on Sunday, Basri Tatif, Deputy Head of the Thai Pilgrim Affairs, praised the organization of the Kingdom and his fellow citizens were all underway. Measure.