Bangkok: Santi, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, has ordered the expedited investigation into the abandoned pilgrimage case, and has coordinated with the Police and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to expand the investigation and assist the victims.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Santi Piyatat, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, has received a complaint from Mr. Kose Mamu, Member of Parliament for Pattani Province, and a group of MPs from the southern border provinces. The complaint alleges that over 170 pilgrims were abandoned by a travel agency, “Rus Hajj and Travel Co., Ltd.” They were unable to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage as scheduled, resulting in approximately 75,000 baht in damages per person, totaling over 10 million baht.
The Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office revealed that after receiving the complaint, he urged relevant agencies to expedite the investigation and gather evidence closely, particularly the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and security agencies, to prosecute the perpetrators. He also ordered agencies under the Prime Minister’s Office to coordinate with the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to jointly track the financial trail and fraudulent behavior of the company in question. He is preparing to take legal action under international law. Reports indicate that the company owner has fled the country.
Mr. Santi emphasized that the government prioritizes the safety and confidence of Muslims traveling for religious activities, particularly those performing the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages, which are important religious duties. Therefore, he has instructed relevant agencies to strictly monitor the business operations of all tour operators to prevent future incidents. He also plans to implement measures to screen tour operators suspected of corruption.
“This matter is not just about economic damage, but also about the mental distress of our faithful who intend to perform the religious pilgrimage. I have urged all agencies to expedite their work to the utmost so that the victims receive justice as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Santi.