On 3 March 2014, H.E. Mr. Peerasak Chantavarin, Ambassador of Thailand to Egypt led Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Secretary General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and his delegation to pay a courtesy call on Deputy Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Mr. Abbas Shoman at Office of the Grand Imam in Cairo. Both sided held a discussion focusing on ways and means to support Thai students who are studying at Al Azhar University, including supporting Thai students to study more in non-religious and professional subjects.

                   On this occasion, the Deputy Grand Imam accepted the invitation of SBPAC Secretary General to dispatch a delegation to visit schools in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand and to find ways to support the SBPAC's plan to set up an Arabic language institute in the Southern Border Provinces. He also agreed to send 6 Imams to lead praying in the Southern mosques during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

                   Al Azhar University is one of the oldest universities in the Muslim world. For over a thousand year, Al Azhar University stood as a center of Islamic learning with an emphasis on moderation and tolerance. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 Thai students at the Al Azhar University.