Pair stranded by Bangkok protest

A COUPLE have been stranded in Thailand after being caught up in anti-government protests.

Glynn and Cynthia Dean, below, were on one of the last flights to arrive in Thailand last week before protesters stormed Bangkok's main airports.

They had gone to Thailand to visit their son and had been due to fly back to their Baddeley Green home last Thursday.

But they were unable to get their flight to Singapore and will now have to stay at a friend's villa until Friday before they try again to leave Thailand.

The Deans remained stranded today as anti-government campaigners, who have laid siege to the country's two main airports, celebrated a court decision to dissolve the leading People's Power Party and ban the prime minister.

Glynn, aged 62, who was on the final leg of their four-week round-the-world tour, said: "The most frustrating thing is not being able to find out what exactly is going on.

"Nobody will tell us anything. We tried to get hold of the embassy on the Saturday but it was shut.

"It has put a damper on the end of our holiday but we are trying not to get too stressed about it."

Their son Nick, who is working as a scuba diver, had also been due to fly home for Christmas on Monday but now must wait for extra flights.

Nick said: "It's absolute chaos. There has been a complete lack of information.

"We need to get a flight from U-Tapao to Koh Samui and then Koh Samui to Singapore.

"We need to get connecting flights or my mum and dad could be stranded in Singapore.

"It's very frustrating and my dad has a heart condition and ran out of medication.

"The hospital here is fantastic. They checked him over without him having to pay and are getting him the medication he needs.

"There's a flight from Singapore pencilled in for Friday so hopefully mum and dad will be able to get this.

"They will feel more at ease once they know when they can go home."

The delays have also meant Nick's visa has run out and he is now in the country illegally.

Nick added: "My visa ran out on Monday.

"I'm just hoping that when I get a flight they don't overstay stamp my passport because it could make it difficult for me when I come back."