TİKA’s Ramadan Program in Thailand

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in cooperation with the Thailand Central Islamic Committee (CICOT), hosted an iftar dinner in the capital Bangkok during the holy month of Ramadan.

More than 400 guests attended the event, including President of the Privy Council of the Kingdom of Thailand General Surayud Chulanont, Sheikhul Islam of Thailand Arun Boonchom Chularatchamontri, Minister of Culture of Thailand Sabeeda Thaised, Chairman of the Thailand–Türkiye Interparliamentary Friendship Group and Secretary General of the Thailand Central Islamic Committee Surin Palaree, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bangkok Julide Kayıhan, representatives of Turkish public institutions and companies in Thailand, officials from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and ambassadors from 16 Muslim countries.

The iftar program began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an and continued with speeches. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Julide Kayıhan emphasized that TİKA, as Türkiye’s development cooperation agency, carries out numerous projects and activities in fields ranging from education and healthcare to vocational training and agriculture.

President of the Privy Council General Surayud Chulanont underlined that a strong society is built not on uniformity but on embracing differences, justice, respect for human dignity, and courtesy. He extended his Ramadan greetings to all Muslims.

Sheikhul Islam of Thailand Arun Boonchom Chularatchamontri stated that Ramadan is a month of mercy and forgiveness and expressed his pleasure in sharing the iftar table with both Muslims and non-Muslims on this meaningful occasion. He also thanked the King and Queen of Thailand for their support to all Thai citizens regardless of religious belief, noting that Muslims in Thailand are able to practice their faith freely.

As part of the Thailand Ramadan Programs, TİKA delivered food aid packages to 500 families in need in the Songkhla region of southern Thailand, which had been affected by devastating floods two months earlier.

Within the framework of the Ramadan Food Package Distribution Program organized in cooperation with the Thailand Al Ihsan Al Khairiyah Foundation, 375 food packages were distributed at Nathab Mosque. Additionally, 125 students at As Salam Witttayanukroh School received food packages to take home.

The distribution ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor of Songkhla Province Parinda Palarae, TİKA officials, and executives of the Al Ihsan Al Khairiyah Foundation.