Saudi teen escapes family, trapped in Bangkok airport, seeks help

As soon as Rahaf reached Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, her passport was seized by Saudi Arabia's diplomatic staff.

The teen claimed she had travel visa for Australia but wasn't allowed to board the plane.

Instead, she was held in a hotel room by officials. From there, Rahaf shot a video and detailed the physical and psychological abuse she had to face back home.

The teen was supposed to get on a Kuwait bound flight on Monday but latest reports suggest she wasn't sent back.

Her friend, who is posting updates of her on social media, tweeted, "I have good news guys the plane is gone, and Rahaf is (safe) for now."

Before the scheduled departure, Rahaf had said, "I'm shouting out for help of humanity (sic)."

Rahaf told a Thai Human Rights activist she was tortured by her kin after she renounced Islam. She was locked in her room for six months and beaten by her brother.

The Kingdom has constantly drawn criticism for its chauvinistic laws, which allow a male relative to take decisions on behalf of a woman.

Women need consent from male relatives before traveling too.

While the case has turned attention towards the laws of the Kingdom, Abdulilah al-Shouaibi, of the Saudi embassy in Bangkok denied claims that Rahaf's passport was seized.

He said her father sought 'help' from the officials in bringing her back and the officials paid attention to his request.

In a statement, the embassy said she will be sent back to her family.

Fortunately, Rahaf got support from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The body said asylum-seekers can't be deported to their countries if their life is in threat.

They are trying to meet Rahaf and have contacted Thai authorities for the same, the statement read.

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch reminded Saudi's history of honor-killing incidents speaks for itself, hence Rahaf's concerns are genuine.