A group of 14 Muslim media representatives will visit Thailand from 18 to 24 July 2010, as part of the “Media Familiarization Trip to Thailand” program organized by the Government Public Relations Department (PRD).

The visit is aimed at promoting better understanding about Thailand among Muslim journalists and widening opportunities for greater cooperation in all areas between Thailand and the Muslim world. It will also lead to media networking between PRD and other media organizations in the Asian region.

The 14 journalists are from Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Singapore. While in Thailand, they will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House at 15.00 hr on July 18, after a meeting with Ambassador Attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Isorn Pocmontri at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 09.00 hr on the same day.

The group will spend two days in the deep South on July 20-21, when they visit Pattani and Narathiwat provinces, which are predominantly Muslim, for first-hand information about the southern situation and development work to improve the local people’s quality of life.

In Pattani, they will visit the Sufficiency Economy Learning Center at Sirindhorn Camp in Yarang district on July 20. Lieutenant General Pichate Wisaijorn, Commanding General of the Fourth Army Area Command, will give them a briefing.

In Narathiwat, the Muslim journalists will visit a mosque in Mueang district to meet and hold discussions with Muslim leaders on July 20, in the evening. On July 21, they will visit Attarkiah Islamiah Institute, a local dual-system school in Mueang district, to observe the teaching and learning of religious and basic education. Then they will meet Mr. Hayee Abdulrosak Alee, Chairman of the Islamic Council of Narathiwat Province, at his office in Bang Nak subdistrict, Mueang district.

After visiting the South, they will return to Bangkok and meet Mr. Aziz Pitakkumphol, Chularajamontri (State Counselor for All Islamic Affairs in Thailand, or the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand), and members of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand on July 22 at the Sheikhul Islam Office in Nong Chok district, a Bangkok suburb.

On the same day, the group of Muslim journalists will visit the Lam Sai Islamic community, Koiroottakwa, also in Nong Chok district. This old Muslim community is recognized as a learning center for the “Sufficiency Economy” philosophy, initiated and developed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

They will also visit other places of interest before leaving Thailand on July 24.

The Thai government supports the development of a stronger Thai Muslim community in many aspects, including education and religious affairs. Nurturing a stronger relationship with Muslims living in all parts of the world is an important part of the Government’s policy.