Gift boxes from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia have reached Muslims currently fasting during the holy month of Ramadan in southern Thailand, Fourth Army commander Lt Gen Kriangkrai Sirak said on Tuesday.
The Fourth Army on Tuesday delivered a number of Ramadan gifts to Muslims in Ban Khok Ya Ruang in tambon Lipasango in Pattani's Nong Chik district, said Lt Gen Kriangkrai, who also serves as the director of Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4.
Previously, Yusuf bin Abdullah Alhummudi, an Islamic adviser at the Saudi Arabian embassy in Thailand, revealed that Thailand has this year received 8 tonnes of dates and 5,000 Ramadan food boxes earmarked for distribution to about 35,000 Muslims in 30 provinces.
The food is for breaking fast at dusk during Islam's holy month, said Lt Gen Kriangkrai, adding that the Saudi king sends Ramadan food supplies to Muslims around the world every year.
Lt Gen Kriangkrai said he was very grateful to King Salman, adding the gifts show how important it is to him that Muslims around the world practise religious activities and carry out customary duties. Thailand has for many years received Ramadan gifts from Saudi Arabia, he said. Thai Muslims also expressed their gratitude to King Salman, he said.