A Saudi woman who says she is fleeing her “abusive” family is being considered for refugee resettlement in Australia after a referral by the UN.
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, had refused to board a flight from Bangkok back to Kuwait and barricaded herself into her airport hotel room on Monday.
The woman said she feared her family would kill her for renouncing Islam if she returns to the Middle Eastern country and publicised her case on social media.
Australia has now said it is considering granting her refugee status, with the Department of Home Affairs saying the UN High Commissioner for Refugees had referred Ms Alqunun.
Images released earlier by Thai immigration police showed Ms Alqunun leaving her room at a Bangkok airport hotel where she barricaded herself inside amid fears for her safety.
Ms Alqunun's father and brother arrived together in Bangkok on Tuesday but she has refused to meet them, officials in Thailand said.
Major General Surachate said at one of several news conferences at the airport: "As of now, she does not wish to go back and we will not force her. She won't be sent anywhere tonight.”
Surachate added: "She fled hardship. Thailand is a land of smiles," he said. "We will not send anyone to die. We will not do that. We will adhere to human rights under the rule of law."
