Saudi woman held in Bangkok, fears death if repatriated

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A Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport said she would be killed if she was repatriated by Thai immigration officials, who confirmed the woman was denied entry to the country Sunday.

Rahaf Mohammed M Alqunun, 18, said she was stopped by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials when she arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport and her travel document was forcibly taken from her.

"They took my passport," said she, adding that her male guardian had reported her for traveling "without his permission".

Rahaf, who calls herself an atheist, said she was trying to flee her family, who subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.

"My family is strict and locked me in a room for six months just for cutting my hair," she said, adding that she is certain she will be imprisoned if she is sent back.

Tourists queue to check in at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, January 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Rahaf was stopped from entering Thailand when she flew in from Kuwait on Sunday, said Thailand's immigration chief Surachate Hakparn.

"She had no further documents such as return ticket or money," he said, adding that Rahaf was currently in an airport hotel.

"She ran away from her family to avoid marriage and she is concerned she may be in trouble returning to Saudi Arabia. We sent officials to take care of her now," said he, adding that Thai authorities had contacted the Saudi Arabia embassy to coordinate.

But Rahaf disputed his account, saying that she was in transit to seek asylum in Australia, where she claimed to have a visa, and was accosted by Saudi and Kuwaiti embassy representatives when she deplaned in Suvarnabhumi airport.

Immigration head Surachate said Rahaf would be sent back to Saudi Arabia by Monday morning. "It's a family problem," he said of the case.

Another Saudi woman, Dina Ali Lasloom, was stopped in transit in the Philippines in April 2017 when she attempted to flee her family. Her fate on returning Saudi Arabia remains uncertain.

Source(s): AFP