Thai King and Queen Present Awards at 19th National Quran Recitation Competition in Pattani

Thailand’s southern province of Pattani hosted the 19th National Al-Quran Recitation Competition in a historic and festive atmosphere. King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida attended the event in person and presented awards to the winners. Their visit highlighted the royal family’s respect for the Muslim community in southern Thailand and its commitment to harmony and mutual understanding.

The royal visit began with a notable moment. The King personally piloted a special royal aircraft from Don Mueang Air Force Base in Bangkok to Hat Yai International Airport in Songkhla province, with Queen Suthida serving as his co-pilot. Senior military officers and government officials warmly welcomed the royal couple upon their arrival. They then travelled by helicopter to Pattani.

The King and Queen arrived at Pattani Central Mosque at 5:54 pm, where religious leaders, Islamic scholars and local residents warmly welcomed them. The annual competition aims to encourage young people to deepen their understanding of the Holy Quran, improve their recitation and strengthen their Quran memorisation skills. The King and Queen presented royal trophies and commemorative awards to the winners.

In the men’s category, Tuan Mohaminayama, representing Pattani province, secured first place. In the women’s category, Ratana Sahan, representing Nakhon Nayok province, won first place. The royal couple also presented commemorative awards to runners-up, other award recipients, experienced judges and organisers.

After the award ceremony, the King and Queen visited an exhibition at the mosque showcasing regional arts, traditional Thai silk, sustainable social development initiatives and achievements under the Royal Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to talented students in Pattani.

The King also expressed satisfaction with royal initiatives aimed at improving local living standards. These included housing renovations for disadvantaged communities, free cataract surgery and progress in colon cancer screening programmes.

As part of their humanitarian activities, the King and Queen met patients suffering from serious illnesses who receive care under royal patronage. They spoke with the patients and their families and presented them with gifts. A Royal Mobile Medical Camp was also held during the visit. A total of 787 local residents and visitors received free healthcare services from specialist doctors, including dental treatment.

At the end of the event, freshly prepared, nutritious halal meals from the royal kitchen were distributed among the large gathering. The royal visit was an unforgettable occasion for Muslims in Pattani and across Thailand’s southern border provinces. Islamic scholars offered special prayers for the well-being of the country and the royal family. The visit further strengthened goodwill, social harmony and unity among Thailand’s diverse communities.