Thai pilgrims get new flights after Riyadh airport strike

Thai pilgrims facing flight disruptions after Saudi airport strike have begun receiving new flights and returning home to await safer travel conditions. The crisis unfolded following missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, forcing the suspension of services and altering flight schedules. Deputy Interior Minister Jeseth Thaiseth revealed that Saudia arranged an emergency replacement flight to collect stranded passengers and transport them to Madinah.

Approximately 200 Thai Muslim pilgrims were affected by the flight disruptions, with 34 pilgrims having alternative bookings and 49 travellers from Pattani choosing to postpone their pilgrimage. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) worked alongside other government agencies to arrange accommodation and alternative transportation for the stranded pilgrims.

The SBPAC also established a coordination centre at Hat Yai International Airport to assist travellers from southern border provinces before they continued to Bangkok. Despite the disruption, airlines started redirecting flights to Madinah and Jeddah, enabling pilgrims to proceed towards Makkah, their intended destination for the Umrah pilgrimage. However, this change may cause disruptions in accommodation bookings and travel arrangements.