ID :
143210
Wed, 09/22/2010 - 17:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/143210
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Thailand's Religious Affairs Department submits visa applications for 1,000 Thai Muslim pilgrims
BANGKOK, Sept 22 - Thailand's Religious Affairs Department on Wednesday took responsibility in applying for the visas for 1,038 Thai-Muslim pilgrims at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Bangkok.
The applications for the Thai-Muslims wishing to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca were directly handed to the Saudi embassy by Religious Affairs Deputy Director General Kritsayapong Siri, one day after visas were granted for the first batch of 392 Thai-Muslim pilgrims on Tuesday.
Mr Kritsayapong said the embassy, though closed Thursday to mark Saudi Arabia's national day, will specially carry out the visa applications, and that Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri had told the applicants not to worry.
Meanwhile, more Thai-Muslim pilgrims from several southern provinces travelled to the Culture Ministry in Bangkok to submit their documents and visa applications.
Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said the applicants asked the authorities to solve the looming problem as they have saved money for their once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage in Mecca.
There have been mixed reports about a possible closure of the Saudi embassy in Bangkok and thus a de facto rejection instead of issuing visas to Thai-Muslim pilgrims after Saudi Arabia expressed concern over the recent promotion of Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom to assistant national police chief.
The Saudi concern arose due to the general's alleged involvement in the unsolved case of disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili in Bangkok two decades ago. (MCOT online news)
The applications for the Thai-Muslims wishing to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca were directly handed to the Saudi embassy by Religious Affairs Deputy Director General Kritsayapong Siri, one day after visas were granted for the first batch of 392 Thai-Muslim pilgrims on Tuesday.
Mr Kritsayapong said the embassy, though closed Thursday to mark Saudi Arabia's national day, will specially carry out the visa applications, and that Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri had told the applicants not to worry.
Meanwhile, more Thai-Muslim pilgrims from several southern provinces travelled to the Culture Ministry in Bangkok to submit their documents and visa applications.
Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said the applicants asked the authorities to solve the looming problem as they have saved money for their once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage in Mecca.
There have been mixed reports about a possible closure of the Saudi embassy in Bangkok and thus a de facto rejection instead of issuing visas to Thai-Muslim pilgrims after Saudi Arabia expressed concern over the recent promotion of Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom to assistant national police chief.
The Saudi concern arose due to the general's alleged involvement in the unsolved case of disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili in Bangkok two decades ago. (MCOT online news)
