Thai Airways operates special flight for haj pilgrims

"So far we have managed to arrange just one charter flight, with a capacity for 250 passengers," said a THAI spokeswoman.

The TG8534 flight, departing from Had Yai Airport Friday afternoon will use an Airbus A300-600 aircraft to fly direct to Jeddah.

Some 400 Thai-Muslim pilgrims were stranded at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday when their Iran Airlines flight was cancelled after the facility was closed down to incoming flights by anti-government protestors.

People's Alliance for Democracy  (PAD) demonstrators, who invaded Suvaranabhumi Tuesday night, allowed one Iran Airlines flight to depart Wednesday morning, taking about 400 Thai-Muslims to Jeddah to join the haj. 

   But another 400 pilgrims missed their flight Friday afternoon when Iran Airlines could not enter the airport.

These passengers were told to travel to Had Yai on their own to catch to THAI flight.

It was unclear if THAI will organise another special charter for the remaining passengers, since Friday's TG8534, flight will only accommodate 250 passengers, leaving 150 without passage.   

"I have been waiting all my life to go to Mecca," said Hayiseng Thasatu, 70, in an interview at Suvarnabhumi Airport Thursday. "If I don't make it this year I'm not so sure I'll be alive next year," he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Muslims worldwide attempt to visit Mecca, Islam's holiest spot, at least once in their lifetime to participate in the haj.