More than 7,000 Muslims from southern Thailand are set to undertake this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, with the first group departing from Hat Yai Airport last Saturday. The departure marked the beginning of a series of flights scheduled between April 18 and May 20.

At a send-off ceremony held at Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla province, Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseht, accompanied by senior officials and religious leaders, formally saw off the pilgrims. The event drew a large gathering of family members and community supporters bidding farewell to the travelers.

Jeseth emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating the pilgrimage by enhancing logistics, including transport coordination and efforts to lower travel costs. He noted that promoting competition among airlines is a key strategy to improve affordability for pilgrims.

This year, a total of 7,037 pilgrims from the region are registered to participate in Hajj. Of these, 4,668 travelers will depart through Hat Yai Airport across 13 flights operated by Saudia Airlines, the only carrier serving this route during the pilgrimage season. The remaining pilgrims are expected to depart from other locations in the country.

The government’s efforts to streamline the pilgrimage process align with ongoing initiatives to support the religious obligations of the Muslim community, ensuring a smoother and more accessible journey to the holy city of Mecca.