On 15 August 2018, H.E. Mr. Paskorn Siriyaphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, presented a contribution in the amount of THB 800,000 to Mr. Sutham Boonmalert, representative of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand. The contribution will be used to support the work of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, in his capacity as the Amirul Hajj of Thailand for the year 2018 (A.H. 1439).  

         On this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary inquired about the Thai pilgrims who have been traveling to Saudi Arabia to prepare for the Hajj since the beginning of July 2018. He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ support not only to the Hajj-related activities, which the Ministry has been providing contribution since 2009, but also on other activities of Muslim communities in Thailand. The Representative of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand expressed appreciation for the continued support rendered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including assistance and facilitation provided to Thai pilgrims traveling to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

          As a member in the Committee on the Promotion of Hajj Affairs of Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been coordinating with relevant authorities from both Thai and Saudi sides to facilitate visa applications for Thai pilgrims. The Royal Thai Consulate in Jeddah has also been tasked to liaise with local authorities to facilitate Thai pilgrims taking part in the annual Hajj and officials have been assigned to facilitate the pilgrimage. In 2018 (A.H. 1439), a total of 7,851 Thai pilgrims will travel to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia.