THE first of four planeloads of Phuket-region pilgrims to Mecca jetted out this afternoon amid family farewells and joyous celebrations.

Hundreds of Muslims arrived by minivan and pickup to say goodbye to those making the journey of a lifetime to the holy centre of the Islamic faith.

A fairground market sprang up near Phuket International Airport. All told, 1100 Muslims will depart on four flights over the next few days.

OrBorJor president Paiboon Upatising was among the community leaders who farewelled the first planeload this afternoon.

The pilgrims caught buses to the international terminal after listening to farewell speeches and being processed through a security check at a building nearby.

Around the fences of the security cordon, friends and relatives waved farewell.

Many of the pilgrims carried new luggage decorated with colorful ribbons and Thai flags.

Two of the charter flights are Thai Airways, the other two are Iran Air.

The pilgrims are expected to return, probably to even greater celebration, in about 40 days.

The journey to Mecca is an annual event and numbers travelling this year are about the same as last year.

Somewhere between one on four and one in five people who live on Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi are Muslims.

While some live traditional village lifestyles, thousands of others mix effortlessly with Thai Buddhists in every walk of life.